Activists hopeful after the first Bosnian Pride March: Change is possible

N1

“We are aware that this march will not change the world and that there are many of those who even today won’t dare to tell their closest ones who they are, but this walk will give them strength that a change is possible,” organisers of the first Bosnian Pride March said after the crowd arrived at the square in front of the State Parliament’s building.

Almost two thousands of participants walked from the Eternal Flame memorial to the Parliament’ building in the first LGBTIQ Pride March in the country.

“Pride, pride, pride! Dear all, a wholehearted thank you to all of you for being here with us today. Today, more than ever before we – lesbians, gays, bisexual, trans, intersexual persons – stop being invisible,” said Lejla Huremovic, the activists representing the Pride Parade organisers, addressing the participants.

Police recorded no incident during the event.

Foreign diplomats including the Ambassadors of the US and the UK attended the walk, expressing support to LGBTIQ population.

“I am here today to support Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and its LGBTIQ population, which deserves fundamental human rights,” US Ambassador Eric Nelson told N1’s reporter, as he walked in the crowd.

After the organisers briefly addressed the participants, the first Bosnian Pride March ended with a song.