State, do you know you due?

Monday, 15 July 2002 01:00

(The second GLBT Pride Parade in Ljubljana, Slovenia)
Roman Kuhar

‘Did the protest finish peacefully, were there any riots?’ was the first question asked by the commercial POP TV news presenter, when he talked live to the reporter from ‘The Road Past Intolerance’, the first Slovenian gay and lesbian Pride parade, which took place last year in the old part of Ljubljana. The reporter had disappointed him, because the first parade, unlike the one in Belgrade a week before ours, happened without any contra protests or skinhead’s bashings. It was a result of a scandal when two gay guys were not allowed to enter what once was a gay friendly bar Café Galeria – the bodyguard at the entrance argued that "we should get used to the fact, that this bar is no longer for ‘that kind of people.’"

Still shocked by the things that happened in Belgrade and later this year in Zagreb, peaceful outcome of last year’s Pride in Ljubljana gave us strength and a strong belief that this year’s Pride parade, called "A march for tolerance 2002", would happen in the same peaceful and tolerant atmosphere. And it did. On the first anniversary of ‘The Road Past Intolerance’, the second Slovenian GLBT Pride parade took place on 6th of July on the streets and squares of Ljubljana. Unlike the one last year, which was a small, but efficient political manifestation, this year’s Pride was a bigger, more of a carnival and western like Parade – a street show with five colorful trucks (showing a scene of a lesbian wedding and gay marines among others), and about 200 people marching down the main streets of the town.

Luckily enough, the Parade did not lack the political statement and message. There was an hour and a half long political manifestation at the main Ljubljana’s square – the Presern’s square – called ‘State, do you know your due?’ Presern is the most famous Slovenian poet from 19th century romanticism and the title of the manifestation is a nice allusion to a verse in one of his poems ‘Poet, do you know your due?’ The title was clearly targeted to unfulfilled promises from 1991 when Slovenia, at its birth as a democratic republic, promised to be a place where people will be equal regardless of their sexual orientation (or any other personal circumstances). To make it even more obvious, we changed the famous European slogan ‘All different, all equal’ to ‘We different, you equal’ and print it on the rainbow-like invitations to the Parade. Regardless of the hot, hot sun, about 250 people joined the parade at the square, so all together there were about 450 people there (which is 150 more than last year).

Last year we deliberately decided to be – in a way – more radical and subversive, so we didn’t invite any politicians to support us, while this year’s Parade was a mainstream one. The mayor of Ljubljana Mrs. Vika Potocnik was the honorary sponsor of the Parade. In her speech she stressed that she is not doing this because it is nowadays in a way fashionable in European cities to be a sponsor of such events, but because she is truly supporting our efforts and our goals. "Love yourself and love Ljubljana," she concluded her speech. The parade was supported by several Slovenian non-governmental organizations. On the stage of the Parade we received short speeches and greetings from Zagreb’s Lori, Belgrade’s Labris, from Tatjana Greif on the behalf of the International Gay and Lesbian Association (ILGA) and from Arjos Vendrig, the head of the oldest gay and lesbian organization in Europe COC from Netherlands. There was also a group of people from Arcigay, the Italian gay and lesbian organization, together with Mr. Franco Grillini, a member of the Italian parliament and an honorary president of Arcigay. He stressed the importance of a fight for GLBT rights and he expressed hopes for a closer collaboration of Slovenian GLBT organizations with the Italian ones. "Let this movement be stronger and bigger every day and let it finally build a Europe of justice and freedom," he stressed. We were very delighted that ambassador Mr. Erwan Fouéré, the head of European Commission Delegation in Slovenia, also joined our Pride. He said that "the struggle for tolerance is like a never-ending marathon. But those of you who run marathons will know that ‘with hope in your hearts and wings on your heals’ you will reach the finish line with dignity and pride.« He even managed to learn some Slovenian words and he finished his speech in Slovenian: »Let greater tolerance and non-discrimination remain not only in the heart of Slovene society but also of the European ideal."

All these speeches were, of course, a thing that attracted media, and it was a nice support from the political sphere in Slovenia of the goals that we want to reach. But, of course, one cannot get married or cannot get ‘a partner’s credit’ in a bank only through promises and support. What we need are deeds. As Miha Lobnik stresses on the behalf of all Slovenian GLBT organizations: "We have enough of all these phrases and promises. Today we clearly stated our demands and in the near future it is going to be clear which individuals and which political parties are really supporting us in a fight for a better and more just society. Today we are happy because of all these words of support, today the dreams are allowed, but tomorrow is another day and tomorrow the only thing that counts are the deeds."

Except from our main newspaper Delo (Work), which published only a small photograph from the Parade together with few lines about the event, other newspapers, radio and television news prepared a full report on it. The general media discourse was of course supportive.

The parade continued in the evening at the alternative cultural center of Metelkova mesto. As a parody to Oscars and the like and a way to celebrate those who work hard in the fields of the GLBT rights, activism and culture, Slovenian GLBT organizations awarded several individuals and organizations with a Flamingo (with exception of lesbian organization LL and youth GLBT organization Legebitra, which did not support the idea). Among others participants of the first lesbian and gay Pride parade in Belgrade were awarded with a Flamingo in the category ‘the coming out of the year’.

So, there it was. Another show for spectators on the pavements of the streets, another hard work and success for those of us who prepared the whole thing, another chance for those who still hide and feel ashamed of themselves to finally come out, another stage for politicians and the like to show their support (and hopefully sometimes their deeds as well), another test for Ljubljana and Slovenian society of how much tolerance it holds, and definitely another step forward in the history of fight for GLBT rights. I guess I should be jumping up and down because of the excitement, and proud, and happiness. I really should. But what stops me from doing that is the memory of the last year’s pride. The first one (which one never forgets!). Last year we managed to transform the anger within us into a positive message. That afternoon we managed to establish a special energy that was floating through the narrow streets of the old part of Ljubljana. It was the energy (or however you want to call it), which literally lifted us up above the path we marched on. It was a magic moment of pride that for the very first time we were marching down the streets, whistling, holding, and kissing. And belonging. This year’s pride was merely a reprise. Which is, I thing, perfectly all right as well.

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