The media campaign of the 7th BiH Pride March begins in everyday spaces – balconies, windows and washing lines – transforming them into places of visibility and resistance. Through simple, recognisable scenes from neighbourhood life, the campaign shows that diversity already exists among us: intertwined, visible and real. The society we live in has never been homogeneous. Generations were raised to understand that diversity is not only to be tolerated, but valued. That is why we must not allow it to be used today as a basis for exclusion.
The campaign accompanying this year’s Pride March consciously chooses to speak in a language we all recognise: the windows and balconies of our buildings, washing lines filled with freshly washed clothes swaying in the wind, neighbourhoods living side by side – in harmony, sometimes with disagreements, but always together. The phenomenon of the neighbourhood in Bosnian society has fascinated foreigners for centuries, while throughout history it has provided safety and solidarity to local communities during wars, disasters and times of hardship.
LGBTIQ+ people are also part of their neighbourhoods, mahalas and cities. It is important that they feel safe within these micro-communities. Here, rainbow colours are not a foreign symbol imposed from elsewhere; they become a metaphor for our identities existing publicly, outside the closet and fully visible. Every window belongs to someone, every balcony carries its own story, every colour hanging from a washing line represents someone’s life. Together, they create the image of the city as we know it – open, vibrant, colourful and authentic.
Pieces of clothing in different colours hanging from washing lines, windows and balconies become signs of presence. Together, they portray Bosnian and Herzegovinian cities as they truly are – alive and authentic. Visibility is no longer symbolic. It is concrete and takes place in the very spaces where we live.
At the same time, this campaign is not only about visibility and acceptance, but also about solidarity and resistance. At a time when people are increasingly divided, labelled and pushed to the margins, we send a clear message: we will not withdraw – we will connect. We will stand beside those under attack, even when it seems that it does not directly concern us. Because, in truth, it does.
Injustice never affects only one group. LGBTIQ+ people, migrants, refugees, national minorities and others face different forms of the same problem: exclusion and the denial of rights. That is why this campaign calls for struggles not to be fought separately, but together. Patriarchal and capitalist systems of power have long acted in unity – and so our responses must also be united.
The campaign consists of a video and a series of photographs, once again choosing to speak through imagery we all recognise: the windows and balconies of our buildings and homes, washing lines with clothes moving in the wind, neighbourhoods existing side by side. Accompanied by the slogan “Every Colour Is the Right One!”, these photographs and videos remind us that diversity is not a threat, but a fact. They demand that the society we live in stop using difference as a reason for division and begin recognising it as a value instead.
Because we are here, and we do not turn away from one another. Every colour, every piece of clothing, every window is a small act of defiance.
We invite all citizens to make this message visible and to help create spaces of solidarity and acceptance together — spaces where every person can live freely, with dignity and without fear. Bosnia and Herzegovina has never been, and must never become, a place where difference is seen as something foreign. Difference is ours, something familiar, part of the openness we are deeply proud of.
A call to all of you!
Create your own washing line, hang clothes in rainbow colours, and post and/or share a photograph with us. Show your support. Let our balconies, windows and streets reflect what they have always been – places where we live together.
Together, let us show that we do not accept division, exclusion or greyness in our neighbourhoods.
And what colour (or colours) will you be wearing?
See you at the 7th BiH Pride March on June 20th in Sarajevo.
Video produkcija: Armin Karalić
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