Belgrade Pride march held under police protection

Hundreds of participants marched through central Belgrade on Saturday for the annual Belgrade Pride, held under the slogan ‘There Is Room for All of Us’. The event, which is part of Belgrade Pride Week, passed without major incident under police protection. The route included the Serbian government building and the National Assembly.

The march marks 25 years since the first Belgrade Pride in 2001, an event that was violently attacked by counter-demonstrators, resulting in over 40 injuries. While the event has faced various challenges and permit denials in previous years, it has been held annually since 2016, partly driven by Serbia’s aspirations for European Union membership and the requirement to guarantee fundamental rights.

During the event, participants used banners to advocate for visibility and human rights. Journalist Danica Vucenic, designated as the ‘Godmother of Belgrade Pride 2026’, addressed participants, noting that the march occurs at a time of increased threats to human rights and rising homophobic attacks. The event was attended by representatives from various foreign embassies and European institutions.