Queer Beograd

Sunday, 05 November 2006 19:39

I came back to Israel after the festival in Beograd thinking “Damn! Its really crazy all the stuff that goes on with the being queer in Serbia”. Remembering the panel about clericalism, nationalism and homophobia (and the clear connection) and understanding that while for us in Tel Aviv, we have the privilige of fighting the mainstreaming of the movement, in Poland, Serbia, and Bosnia, it’s a struggle on visibility and basic acceptance. I find it unbelievable to think that what I see as my right, and “who would dare to mess with me” in Tel Aviv, is really supressed in other places. And you could feel it. I mean people looked at like we’re aliens when we were walking down the street in Belgrade anyway, so being queer on top of that?!
And then I really “landed”, to our land of hate, racism, nationalism, militarism and yes, homophobia. Severe, widespread, and fucking scary.

The Pride Parade is supposed to take place in a few days in Jerusalem. It was cancelled “because” of the second war in Lebanon, and after appealing to the Supreme Court, the municipality was forced to allow the parade, and the police to secure it.
Turns out that we haven’t managed in all our pro-peace struggles to bring the three religions closer together than this parade did in a week.
There are calls made by rabbis to bring a million people to protest against the “shame parade”, there are cash rewards for people who will kill homos. And everyone is saying “Why do u HAVE to do the parade in Jerusalem? Can’t you do it somewhere less provocative, like Tel Aviv?”

And now I understand the “Tolerance Parade”, the “Equality Parade” in Poland and Serbia. The need to compromise the “other” political agendas, the importance of just being in the parade. How can we afford to divide amongst ourselves if we have actual and real threats against our lives?
But at the same time I can’t stand with the Israeli flag in my hand and the national pride in my heart. I can’t claim the gay and lesbian soldiers as my allies to the struggle. I don’t want to be accepted and say “hey in just like you” to people who don’t think I have a right to live. It’s so hard to compromise.

Being in the festival gave me new insights, and many things to think about. It does feel like we, in Israel and Serbia are so close in our struggles.  And I know that you will be in a way marching with us in Jerusalem, supporting our struggles like we support yours.
 
With hopes for the best, and much love to all of you in Beograd

Kerem

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