ABOUT THE BIH PRIDE MARCH

The BiH Pride March is rooted in the principles and values of antifacism, equality, solidarity, freedom, social justice, self-determination, secularity, inclusivity, antimilitarism, the rule of law, openess to dialogue and non-violent communication.

The BiH Pride March has been established to tackle the lack of mobilizing platforms in BiH that empowers human rights defenders and fosters an independent and participatory approach to the organization of events. The BiH Pride March Organizing Committee (OC) is an informal body of volunteers, not representing organizations but involved in their personal capacity. Each year, an open call for applications is issued, inviting all interested BiH citizens to apply and become a part of the organizing team. Membership is on a voluntary basis and all decisions are taken in consensus.

Dozens of people passed through the organizing committee in just four years, many of which became activists for the first time through our team. We are proud that some of them continued their activist path during this year as well. The organizing committee is composed of all generations, genders and gender identities, as well as various activist and professional backgrounds. Each of the members contributes to the creation and organization of the BiH Pride March. We are especially proud that many LGBTIQ people have decided to be part of the committee and through this form of activism to get involved in the fight for the rights of LGBTIQ people for the first time.

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Invisibility, isolation, lack of recognition, exclusion, and violence, in both the private and the public spheres, are the biggest problems for the LGBTIQ population in BiH. Most LGBTIQ people decide against revealing their sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics to their families for fear of violence and rejection, which forces them to conceal a part of their life and the people they love. As LGBTIQ people, we are prevented from living openly and expressing our identities in public spaces—be it streets, workplaces, schools, institutions or cafes.

7th BiH Pride March: “Diversity, Solidarity and Respect Are Our Tradition. Only Together Can We Resist Global (and Local) Fascism”

In a world that is becoming increasingly radicalised and divided, where identities are more and more often used as tools of separation, the 7th BiH Pride March brings a different, fundamentally human message – a message of solidarity in a time of individualism, while celebrating diversity.

Today, more than ever, we need solidarity, togetherness and collective action, because fascist, militaristic and colonial movements have long since joined forces to oppress children, women, refugees, LGBTIQ+ people, religious and ethnic minorities, vulnerable communities, and all those fighting for human rights and social and economic justice. They do so under the guise of democracy, in service of the capital and their own interests.

The only way to resist all of this is through a global movement of solidarity that stands against genocide and the global erosion of human rights and human dignity. Yet such a movement cannot exist without solidarity and togetherness within our local communities, neighbourhoods – only together can we build a better society and a better world, shaped around the dignity of every human being.

The BiH Pride March does not come from elsewhere. It is not an import of imposed foreign values or outside ideas. The BiH Pride March celebrates what Bosnia and Herzegovina already is – a space where we all belong, where diversity is not a threat but an everyday reality and a precondition for a better and more beautiful life for all of us.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has always been a multi-ethnic, multi-layered in identity and multicultural country where differences coexist, intertwine and remain visible in everyday life. From different religions sharing the same urban spaces for centuries, to languages blending in marketplaces, to diverse identities and life stories woven through neighbourhoods and communities – this country has always been proof that diversity can be a strength rather than a weakness.

This solidarity in diversity is neither a modern invention nor a political calculation, nor is it a “pro-Western” value imported into our culture. It is our tradition and our pride.

At its core, the BiH Pride March does not seek spectacle or provocation, but something far more important: visibility and safety. The right for all of us to exist in the public spaces we share without fear, without hiding, without the need to be someone we are not – with the possibility to live our identities and authenticity beyond four walls: in our neighbourhoods, marketplaces, workplaces, public spaces and institutions.

That is why this year’s slogan is: “Every Colour Is the Right One!”

In simple and familiar language, the slogan carries a powerful message: all our differences – gender, sexual, ethnic, religious and others – are a natural part of who we are and, as such, deserve respect. “Colours” are not only a symbol of the LGBTIQ+ community, but also a metaphor for everything that makes us different, yet connected.

“Every Colour Is the Right One!” means that we all have the right to be who we are – visible, dignified and free from fear. The slogan reminds us of something that has always been part of our society: solidarity in diversity.

At a time of growing division, this message brings us back to a fundamental truth: only together can we build a fairer, safer and more open society for everyone.

This year, the question should not be whether you are coming to the march, but which colour you will wear to show your support.

See you on the 20th of June – because Every Colour Is the Right One!

Information about the route and program of the BiH Pride March (click)

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