A new initiative has been set up to challenge homophobia in Kosovo following a violent attack and the suspension of the issue of a magazine. “Challenging Homophobia” is the title of the first European project for the protection and promotion of the rights of LGBT people in Kosovo.
An attack on a youth cultural group’s meeting in December last year shocked attendees. the stage was destroyed in the attack and security was reported to have stood by while the attack took place. On the same day the launch of an issue of a magazine featuring an article on the lives of LGBT people in Kosovo was curtailed when protesters gathered outside the building shouting abuse and making threats.
Simon Maljevac from the organization Legebitra is one of the promoters of the “Challenging Homophobia” initiative. In an interview he states that LGBT people in Kosovo have to hide their identities from society and their families. There are no ‘gay’ bars and there is no ‘scene’ in Kosovo; not even in Pristina. A bar that was advertised as gay-friendly changed its decor and its image after a series of threats were sent to its management through social media. This in turn means that there is no health care provision or assessment of the needs of LGBT people.
Legebitra – which supports LGBT people in Slovenia and the Balkans – has existed for many years and Simon sees its role as to challenge prejudice in the legal structures so that homophobia can be challenged effectively by the judicial processes. To read more go here.