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“[Homosexuals] should seek medical attention. If Europe doesn’t want us because we didn’t solve the issue of the rights of homosexuals, then we don’t need such a Europe.” |
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| Marija Serifovic, the winner of 2007 Eurovision Song Contest, takes part in Serbia’s ultra-nationalist Radical Party acting leader Tomislav Nikolic’s final pre-election rally in Belgrade January 15, 2008. Serbian presidential elections considered crucial for Serbia as it stands to choose whether to press on with pro-Western integration or return to the nationalist past of the Milosevic era are scheduled for January 20. REUTERS/Ivan Milutinovic (SERBIA) |
When someone told me that Marija Serifovic had come out in support of the Serbian Radical Party, I thought it must be a joke. I mean this was the woman who had sent Serbia (and Germain Greer) into paroxysm of delight when she won the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest.
How could a lesbian Roma girl to support Serbia’s far-right ultra-nationalist party? I mean is it possible she does not know what the Serbian Radical Party thinks of gays like her?
Perhaps a reminder is in order.
Cast your minds back to 2001. Things were really looking up for Serbia. Milosevic had fallen the previous year. Peace, progress and democracy were the keywords of the day. Serbia was 6 months in to the progressive Djindjic era and it looked like the horrors of the 90s were finally to be a thing of the past.
It was during these optimistic days of the Summer of 2001 that Serbia’s tiny gay and lesbian community decided to have the first Gay Pride March in Belgrade.
A mob of football hooligans, religious fanatics and Ultra-nationalists - the Serbian Radical Party’s constituency - viciously attacked the marchers, beating and kicking them and anyone else who came to their defence- including women and journalists. The mob went on to attack the outnumbered and unprepared police.
The footage of the incident is gruesome, but it is well worth reminding ourselves about the sort of people Ms Serifovic has endorsed:
You can read more about this dreadful incident, Marija, gay rights and politics in Serbia , at these links:
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Jason, London 01.29.08 at 5:45 pm
What a load of bollocks. Please provide the evidence that this has something to do with a political party of some sort. I think you need to talk to the Catholic pope about homosexuality as I believe he shares the same views as Nikolic, except the pope has 1 billion Catholics who generally support him. Homophobia is a problem thoughout the world and needs to be addressed, but your obvious political motivation will do nothing to support the gay communities.
jonathan 01.29.08 at 6:23 pm
Are you kidding me?
The Nikolic is the head of the ultra right-wing Serbian Radical Political *party*. He is an avowed homophobe.
Marija Serifovic is gay.
I am shocked she is supporting him considering the fact Nikolic believes people like her should be hospitalized.
And as for the attack on the gay Right Parade not being political, then explain this:
“In Belgrade’s Republic Square, the Love Parade’s venue, gangs of hard-core football hooligans - supporters of the Red Star club known as ‘Delije’ - and supporters of another football club, called Rad, were waiting.
Among them were *members of the Fascist organisation ‘Obraz’, the men of the nationalist Radical Party led by Vojislav Seselj* and an assortment of bearded types from the Ravna Gora Chetnik Movement.
Several priests were present, including Father Zarko Gavrilovic of the St Sava Party (named after Serbia’s patron saint), a former show business star Olivera Katarina, and various macho local criminals.”
http://iwpr.net/?p=bcr&s=f&o=248798&apc_state=henibcr2001
Now who is talking bollox, huh, “Jason”?