The EuroPride is an annual, international event that is dedicated to LGBT pride in Europe and, just like the Eurovision Song Contest, it is hosted in a different European city each year. This year’s EuroPride March was set to take place in the Serbian capital Belgrade on the 17th of September and was supposed to be the first EuroPride hosted in South-Eastern Europe.

However, after many political protests, Serbian authorities have officially forbidden this year’s EuroPride to go ahead, handing over an official notice to the organizers. The interior minister, Aleksandar Vulin said that “senseless conflicts on the streets of Belgrade would endanger the safety of the participants of the march, as well as other citizens“, while the EuroPride account shared the news on Twitter with big regret!

Police bans EuroPride 2022 March

Today, on September 13, the Serbian Police banned this year’s EuroPride March, by handing over the official notice to the organizers. Belgrade Pride will use all available legal means to overturn this decision. Expect more information soon. pic.twitter.com/4FuJUihBTC

— Belgrade Pride – EuroPride 2022 (@belgradepride) September 13, 2022

None other than the Serbian Eurovision winner Marija Šerifović has now expressed her support for the EuroPride March in Belgrade. Back in 2007, Marija was the first Eurovision representative of Serbia as an independent country, and made Serbia the first and, so far, only country, to win the competition with their first entry. In 2013, Marija came out as homosexual and has been openly supporting the LGBT community ever since. The Eurovision winner posted the following words in her Instagram story:

Answers to all of these questions that I asked are humiliating for the LGBT community.

I’m sure that you had no idea how tough an LGBT person’s life is and how easy it is to make it easier for them.

I’m sure that none of you wish harm to anyone, but taking away basic human rights of someone is evil, just like turning your head to a different direction when your co-citizens are suffering. That’s the reason pride exists. That’s the reason that I support pride parade until we’ve all become equal.

Freedom and love to everyone.

The organizers of this year’s EuroPride have expressed their dedication to go on with the demonstration, despite the ban! It remains uncertain in what form the Pride March will take place on the streets of Belgrade this Saturday.

You can re-live Marija Šerifović’s breathtaking performance of “Molitva” at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 in Helsinki!

Let us know your opinion and thoughts on this topic in the comments and on our social media profiles! @escbubble