LGBTI+ History Month in Bosnia and Herzegovina

LGBTI+ History Month has been observed since 1994, when history teacher Rodney Wilson from the United States launched an initiative to ensure that the history of LGBTI+ people would not be erased or silenced. On that day, Wilson came out to his students, having previously come out to his family and friends. His idea was to dedicate one month each year to recognizing and exploring the history of the LGBTI+ community — highlighting the significant contributions that LGBTI+ people have made in culture, science, art, politics, and social movements, as well as raising awareness about the struggles they have faced over time.

In January 1994, Professor Wilson sent a proposal to all existing LGBTI+ organizations, suggesting that October 1994 be declared Lesbian and Gay History Month (as it was called at the time). His goal was to gain their support and approval for the initiative. Organizations soon began to endorse the idea, after which Wilson formed a coordination committee. During that first October in 1994, the first events marking LGBTI+ History Month were held in various places across the country, including St. Louis, where Wilson was active.

Interestingly, LGBTI+ History Month has its roots in the educational system, one of the key spaces for socialization and the formation of personal and social identities. For LGBTI+ children and youth, school is often the first place where they face rejection, violence, and systemic invisibility. According to the Report on the State of Human Rights and Needs of the LGBTI+ Community in the Tuzla Canton (2025), as many as 70% of respondents experienced some form of discrimination in school. The formal education system in Bosnia and Herzegovina rarely (if ever) includes topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity, perpetuating a vicious cycle of ignorance, prejudice, and discrimination.

LGBTI+ History Month is a time for reflection, remembrance, and celebration of the contributions of LGBTI+ people throughout history. Although traditionally marked in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and other European nations, in recent years it has been gaining recognition across the Western Balkans — including Bosnia and Herzegovina. This period serves not only as a reminder of historical events and figures but also as an opportunity to raise awareness of the ongoing struggles of the LGBTI+ community, particularly in societies still burdened by deep-rooted stereotypes, stigmatization, and institutional barriers, where tolerance toward violence remains high.

The LGBTI+ movement in Bosnia and Herzegovina has a relatively short but highly significant history. The first formal forms of organized LGBTI+ activism appeared in 2004 with the establishment of Association Q — the first civil society organization dedicated to protecting the rights of LGBTI+ people. This marked the beginning of growth in the number of civil society organizations that continue to drive key changes toward a more equal and dignified life for all LGBTI+ people in BiH. These organizations have played a crucial role in creating safe spaces, providing legal and psychological support, and advocating for changes in laws and policies.

The first Bosnian-Herzegovinian Pride March, held in September 2019, was a historic moment. After years of struggle, pressure, and negotiations, LGBTI+ people and allies took to the streets of Sarajevo under the slogan “Ima izać’” (“There is a way out”), emphasizing the importance of visibility and the right to public space. The Pride March in BiH is not only a celebration of identity but also an act of political resistance — a clear stand against discrimination, violence, and institutional silence. Every Pride held since then stands as testimony to the persistence of the community, creating an irreplaceable sense of belonging through the act of taking to the streets and participating in the broader Pride program.

Despite significant progress, LGBTI+ people in Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to face numerous challenges. Bosnian society is deeply collectivist and traditional, which means that deviations from heteronormative patterns are often seen as threats to social norms. It is also largely apathetic toward the needs of its citizens — particularly marginalized communities.

One of the key issues remains invisibility. Many LGBTI+ individuals choose to live “in the closet,” fearing judgment and/or potential violence from family, friends, colleagues, or their communities. This invisibility has numerous consequences — not only on the individual level (mental health, feelings of isolation) but also on the societal level, as it hinders the development of broad-based support and understanding. Consequently, the societal attitude toward the LGBTI+ community remains marked by segregation, discrimination, and violence. Sometimes this manifests as direct aggression, but often as indirect rejection and social exclusion.

The invisibility of LGBTI+ people also means the absence of adequate systemic support, including within health care, education, and social services. Despite the small number of openly out individuals, those who are visible continue to pave the way for new generations, who bring their own specific challenges and strengths, helping to make the fight even louder. They are creating history, driving change, and showing us that each of us can be a bearer of transformation. They create spaces for love, awaken hope, and — most importantly — provide resistance.

Despite many challenges, the LGBTI+ community and its allies in Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to show resilience and determination. Activist work includes advocating for legislative change, providing legal support, running public campaigns and educational programs, offering peer-to-peer and psychological support, organizing artistic and cultural events such as the Kvirhana Festival, and engaging in online activism.

More than a year ago, Bosnia and Herzegovina was enriched by the opening of the Safe House for LGBTI+ persons, which provides psychological and legal assistance as well as accommodation for LGBTI+ individuals in need of a safe space. Domestic violence against members of the community remains largely invisible even today, and the Safe House provides both a home and protection — though, sadly, it now faces existential challenges of its own.

These events and activities contribute to social transformation, gradually expanding the space for dialogue and public recognition of LGBTI+ people as equal members of society. LGBTI+ History Month in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a reminder that the struggle for human rights is an ongoing process. The history of the LGBTI+ movement in BiH is a history of courage, resistance, and solidarity. It is also a call to society to recognize its responsibility — to build a safe, inclusive, and just environment for all.

In a time when public discourse is often dominated by messages of hate and exclusion, observing this month carries even greater importance. It is an opportunity to speak about what has long been silenced, to honor the activists who have opened the doors to freedom, and to call for continued action.

Written by: Amina

This article was published with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland. The content of the article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Tuzla Open Centre, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, or the Government of Ireland.