Every year, the month of June in Bosnia and Herzegovina brings with it a special atmosphere and challenges for the LGBTI+ community. While the brighter side of society gathers in support and solidarity during Pride Month, the dark side reveals its ugly face – hatred and intolerance towards people of different sexual orientations and gender identities. Philosophically speaking, one cannot exist without the other, like light and darkness. June, which for the LGBTI+ community is usually filled with parades and celebrations of rights, is still a battle for public space and a matter of existence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. For the past few years, a pride parade has been held in Bosnia and Herzegovina in June, which is a protest and will always be a protest until the LGBTI+ community and other minority groups in BiH become equal citizens of society – until then, the BiH pride parade remains a protest.
Unfortunately, many do not see the parade this way, even some members of minority groups, including LGBTI+ persons, believe that the parade is unnecessary and not a path to equality. In the eyes of the public – I would correct myself and say in the ignorant eyes of the public – the parade is a celebration, a waste of money, and entertainment. This is reflected in various statements on social media, especially during June. From statements like "Mayor Benjamina paid for it (if only she had, everything would be easier)", to "Who says they don't have rights, they are always complaining, why do they have to go out and tell everyone what they are (because everyone has the right to freedom of expression without fear of violence, which often comes from you)", to "I have friends who are LGBTI+ and they are against this parade (unfortunately they are against it because they still want to be good in the eyes of 'friends' like you)".
These are statements that often prevail in comments during the month of June, but also throughout the rest of the year. In the continuation of the article, we will look at this phenomenon of growing hatred and its impact from different perspectives.
Hate on Social Media
Social media, which has become a central place for communication and expressing opinions, is often flooded with negative comments, insults, and threats directed at the LGBTI+ community during June. Why this month? Pride Month symbolizes openness, the fight for rights, and diversity, which is a direct challenge to those who support conservative or traditional views.
Spreaders of hatred are often people who are limited in their views, ignorant, or even actively refuse to educate themselves on issues of sexuality and gender identity. They channel their fears and ignorance through aggressive comments and behaviors on social media or even in public spaces. This type of hatred not only complicates the daily lives of LGBTI+ people but can also pose serious dangers, including physical attacks, discrimination in the workplace or school, and even psychological problems such as depression and anxiety.
June is the month when Pride Month events are held around the world, aiming to celebrate and support the LGBTI+ community. In countries like BiH, where deeply rooted social and religious conservative views exist, these events can provoke negative reactions among those who oppose change and diversity. Social media becomes a platform for expressing intolerance and hatred, often fueled by stereotypes and prejudices spread online.
A key component in combating hatred towards the LGBTI+ community is education. Educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, and media platforms play an important role in raising awareness about diversity and promoting tolerance. Programs that include education on human rights, gender equality, and sexual orientation can help reduce stigma and improve understanding among citizens. The problem arises when the only people willing to educate themselves are open-minded individuals and those who already, in a way, support others and the different. They are most often allies, friends of LGBTI+ people, and LGBTI+ people themselves, although education is available to everyone. This is also evident in the fact that even parents simply reject their child after they reveal their sexual orientation, instead of being there for them. This is something we witness, and the number will grow because thanks to the parade and increasing visibility of LGBTI+ people, youth feel more encouraged to come out than before, and instead of support from the closest ones, they encounter rejection and misunderstanding. The Tuzla Open Center organizes various activities and education that are indeed for the LGBTI+ community, but everyone else is welcome, and the fact is that everyone else is a rare occurrence at these events. This again shows that ignorance in society is very present, meaning that we have available education and information, but we choose to be uninformed.
Psychological Impacts of Hatred
Negative reactions towards the LGBTI+ community can have profound psychological consequences not only for the members of the community themselves but also for society as a whole. Stigmatization and discrimination can lead to emotional suffering, depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts among LGBTI+ community members. These psychological impacts can be long-lasting and require support from professionals and the community to overcome. Another phenomenon we have witnessed recently is emotional maturity, or greater emotional maturity, among women and the LGBTI+ community. Why? Precisely because those groups that are most often seen as vulnerable in society are the first groups to seek resources and help themselves first. That is why someone from these groups will often go and seek help from a psychologist or psychotherapist, rather than someone who is ignorant, traditional, and conservative.
Strengthening the protection of LGBTI+ rights also requires appropriate legislative and political measures. Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a multiethnic and multireligious state, faces challenges in harmonizing laws and practices that would ensure equality for all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The implementation and respect of anti-discrimination laws are key to creating a fairer and more inclusive society. We are proud of the prison sentences given to attackers and bullies who pretended to be LGBTI+ to deceive others and commit injustice against them. Prison sentences are a good start for hate crimes, and we hope it will not stop there and that it will be a deterrent to others who think of doing something similar.
A Small Oasis of Support
In Tuzla, the Tuzla Open Center represents a key organization that provides support and space for the LGBTI+ community. TOC organizes various events throughout the year, including workshops, forums, art exhibitions, and other cultural activities that promote tolerance and understanding. Our organization plays a vital role in creating a safe and supportive environment for LGBTI+ people in Tuzla and the surrounding area. What we have noticed is an increase in the number of LGBTI+ community members, especially when it comes to young people, which makes us very happy because it means they feel free and empowered to attend a TOC event, to be there even if they are not out and despite that, they feel safe and free to be who they are with people who accept them.
Having an organization like TOC means having a space where LGBTI+ people can be open, express their identities, and interact without fear of judgment or violence. This space not only provides support for the emotional and mental health of community members but also helps strengthen their capacity to fight discrimination and prejudice in the wider community.
All those who spread hatred towards the LGBTI+ community in Bosnia and Herzegovina should reconsider their attitudes and actions. Expressing disapproval or intolerance towards someone because of their sexual orientation or gender identity is not only morally wrong but also contrary to the principles of equality and human rights. Statements such as "religion does not allow it" are not an excuse and do not give anyone the right to hate. Maybe your religion does not allow it, but it also does not call for hatred and violence. It is okay to disagree, but it is not okay to endanger others; there is enough space on Earth for all people. Every life deserves respect and existence, that is the minimum.
Instead of hatred, we call on all citizens to educate themselves about diversity, to develop empathy, and to strive to create a society that accepts and respects all its members.
Pride Month in Bosnia and Herzegovina should be a time for celebration and solidarity, but instead, it is often marked by hatred and intolerance. To build a society where everyone has the right to be who they are without fear of discrimination, it is essential that we all work together to create a more inclusive environment. The LGBTI+ community deserves the support and respect of every citizen, regardless of their sexual or gender identity.
This article was published with the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The content of the article is the sole responsibility of the Tuzla Open Center and does not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the Government of the United States of America.
Comments