Press Releases State Secretary Pascal Smet announces support of Brussels-Capital Region for EuroPride in Belgrade

State Secretary Pascal Smet announces support of Brussels-Capital Region for EuroPride in Belgrade

To mark IDAHOBIT – the international day of action against homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia, Pascal Smet, State Secretary of the Brussels-Capital Region, has announced a significant package of support for EuroPride 2022.

EuroPride will be held in Belgrade in September 2022.”On behalf of the Brussels-Capital Region, I am pleased to confirm our support for EuroPride that will be held in Belgrade, 12-18 September 2022,” said Minister Smet. “Major events such as EuroPride are a important opportunity to ensure visitiblity of queer people and to highlight the continuing struggle for equality for all. As we mark IDAHOBIT – the international day of action against homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia, our support for EuroPride is an important contribution that we can all be proud of.

As European capital, we continue to play our leading role for better LGBTQIA+ rights worldwide.” “Deep inequality and discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community in the Western Balkans region make EuroPride in Belgrade a turning point in the region,” said Marko Mihailović, one of the coordinators of the EuroPride. “This event will empower the community of LGBTQIA+ activists tocontinue their fight, and provide them with a much-deserved sense of validation for their struggle so far.”

“EuroPride is an opportunity for people from across Europe to show their solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community from the Western Balkans and support them in their long struggle for equality, tolerance and human rights which started two decades ago with the first Pride held in 2001 in Belgrade,” added Mihailović.

The EuroPride event in Belgrade will also include a major human rights conference. “Our conference will gather together renowned experts in the field of human rights,” explained Goran Miletic – one of the coordinators of EuroPride. “The conference aims to initiate a dialogue with the stakeholders, local and international politicians and decision-makers on how they can contribute to strengthening equality and justice for the LGBTQIA+ community in the region of the Western Balkans.

Additionally, through various workshops, panels, lectures and other capacity building events the conference will serve as a forum for discussion and networking.”

Further information:

Olivier Arendt

ELMA

olivierarendt@gmail.com

Tel: +32 47695 2389

Notes to editors:

  1. IDAHOBIT: On 17 May, 1990, the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses. To mark this occasion each year, the LGBTQIA+ community celebrates IDAHOBIT – an international day of action against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia.
  1. EuroPride: Marko Mihailović and Goran Miletic are the coordinators of EuroPride in Belgrade. The dates for EuroPride 2022 are 12-18 September.
  1. ELMA: The press conference at which Minister Smet made the announcement regarding the support of the Brussels-Capital Region was hosted by ELMA – the European LGBTQIA+ Media Association. ELMA is a media partner of EuroPride. Based in Brussels, ELMA was established in early 2022 and brings together queer publications, journalists, and media professionals – enabling us to work together, share resources, and enhance the impact of LGBTQIA+ media across Europe. ELMA also aims to enhance LGBTQIA+ media, information and empowerment for LGBTQIA+ communities in countries where there is further work required to achieve equality.
  1. Brussels-Capital Region: Pascal Smet is the State Secretary of the Brussels-Capital Region. Minister Smet is responsible for Urbanism and Heritage, European and International Relations, Foreign Trade and Firefighting and Emergency medical Assistance

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