Radio Gays: New Voices From the Old World

Saturday, 29 June 2002 01:00

By Karen Louise Boothe
Imagine producing a radio show where most of your potential audience members think you're "sick," and more than half say they think you ought to be treated medically before they'd want direct contact with you. [Source: Belgrade Daily, July 2001]
That's exactly what 20-somethings Milan Djuric and Dusan Maljkovic are doing in hosting the first-ever GLBT show in Serbia. "Producing this show is important to us as longtime activists in Serbia," Djuric said. "In fact, it's the sole source of information and support for queer individuals living in isolation, fear, and oppression in our country, [especially in] rural areas where there isn't any activity on GLBT human rights."

Gayming airs on Wednesday mornings from 1-4 AM on Radio 202, an independently owned and operated station. The program features news and information, interviews, and listener call-ins. So far, ratings for the show are climbing, and Djuric says they've received many positive reactions. "But," he said, "we've also gotten threats."

A rival radio host, employed by the state-owned Radio Yugoslavia, called on his listeners to physically assault Djuric and Maljkovic. A band of Serbian skinheads, known as Blood of Honor, and the pro-Christian and pro-fascist Obraz and Saint Justin groups, consistently challenge the show with public verbal sparring.

But Djuric hopes Gayming spurs further change in his country. He states, "Our show's motto is, 'Build up Tolerance.'"

"It's a way to promote and further develop democracy," Maljkovic noted. "We are taking an active role in changing the social status and position of the GLBT community. We have the right to enjoy all human rights guaranteed by international legal norms which Yugoslavia has signed."

But change--as Serbians know all to well--comes slowly beneath the haunting oppression of nationalism that continues to breed homophobia. The country's authorities show no sign of taking a stance against the violence that regularly is visited upon GLBT citizens.

President Vojislav Kostunica has failed to condemn such violence, and Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic said, "I think it's too early to stand this test of tolerance in a country that has been in isolation for so long and which has had a repressive patriarchal culture." He added, "I'm afraid it will take us some time to reach that level of tolerance."

Even so, the hosts of Gayming have had enough positive feedback to inspire them to continue. One newspaper reviewer wrote, "These two guys are incredible. They manage to be funny, informative, educational. Though they're sometimes 'campy,' they are never offensive."

Gayming can be heard on the Internet at www.beograd202.co.yu, Tuesdays from 6-9 PM (Central Time).

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