Queer Zagreb, festival which hosted so far some of the biggest figures of contemporary dance expression, controversial video projections, motivated discussions and artistic considerations is set to take place from 5th to 10th of May in Zagreb.

‘Queer Zagreb festival contributes each year to the cultural and social diversity of Croatia, as the program attracts wide audiences and allows them to see things differently – but also to see different things.

The festival has been making its mark by presenting artists who challenge norms of aesthetics and of contents within which the vast majority of local culture in Croatia rests, dizzy by the stale stench of mediocricy and bored with itself into deep slumber.

The strength of festival’s program this year lies in the variety of artistic aesthetics and approaches to body as tool of precise choreography, as a source of private and public pleasure or pain, as a space of violence, vessel of illness.

Festival managed to bring together an impressive choir of artistic voices from Brazil, Argentina, France, Germany, Great Britain and Bulgaria.

Details: Queer Zagreb 2009, time: 5.05.2009. – 10.05.2009. place: Zagreb, Croatia , organiser: Queer Zagreb (http://www.queerzagreb.org)

This is an excpert:

Croatia is trying to promote a ‘gay-friendly’ image but it looks more like lip service to EU standards than serious change

Croatia promotes tourism with the slogan: “Croatia, the Mediterranean as it once was”. It might be nearer the mark to say: “Croatia, Central Europe as it was in the 1930s and 1940s”.

The postcard beauty that characterises this former Yugoslav republic with its breathtaking landscapes and its unique archipelago often finds itself at odds with another reality, that of its society, haunted by ghosts of the past, ridden by an astonishing intolerance against minorities, in particular the gay one.

My own postcard dream was abruptly shattered one evening last year. While walking back home along the central Jelacic Square in Zagreb, I was chased and beaten by a group of about 10 men. As their insults indicated, I had been deemed not masculine-looking enough. As my screams filled the air, the crowd on the square stayed aloof. And as blood dripped from my head, the two policemen who happened to pass by chose to ignore my assailants and interrogate me, refusing even to offer me protection on my way back home….

Read the whole article and comments at this link

The organisation committee has announced that this year’s Pride is to be closely monitored by international human right organisations and European institutions.

The Zagreb Pride march will be held on Saturday, June 28, followed by a rock concert.

Read about Gay Croatia

Italy passed a law according to which registration of homosexual unions will be allowed at the registrar’s office. Even the Catholic Italy allowed gay couples the right of inheritance, medical insurance and alimentation after divorce.

Czech Republic was the first communist country to pass a law, letting homosexuals raise children from prior relationships, but not of their adoption.

Laws on gay couples have Hungary, Slovenia, Belgium, Spain, France and many other west European countries, while the champion in the complete equalisation of rights for same-sex and marriage unions is the Netherlands.

Croatia found itself in the company of countries in which there is no possibility of same-sex unions registering, like Albania, Rumania, BH, Macedonia and Serbia.

Namely, last year in parliament, after a discussion on the heterosexuality of the Universe from a fly to an elephant, Law on registered partnership was not accepted, which anticipated the equalisation of homosexual couples` rights with marriage rights.

Difference of opinion on homosexuality among parties:

-Relations between two people are regulated with other legal provisions and there is no need to accept new ones- said Andrija Hebrang of the Croatian Democratic Union.

-This is not in accordance with respecting human rights of all people- believes Lucin.

- The Croatian Peasant`s Party representative Josip Friscic also claims legal matters in homosexual cases should be regulated.

-We cannot close our eyes before the fact there are homosexual relationships – Friscic said.  ( Source : www.javno.com )

The new portal has an international editorial office and collects information on women and civil society issues in region of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro.

Ekviva is part of the “Women and Media” programme implemented by B.a.B.e. women rights’ group, which was initiated in 1996.

This is welcoming news for all of us who are hoping to have access to relevant and non-stereotyped online information.

Recommended Link: Ekviva Women Portal’s collection of tastless adverts : http://www.ekviva.net/index.php?page=galerija

On Wednesday, 10th of January, a new gay bar “Studio Mobilus” opened in Zagreb, at Dordiceva Street 10, not far from popular Bar Denis and Global Club.

Zagreb now has one official gay club, two bars and two saunas – all situated in the central part of the city.

Gay bar Studio Mobilus
Ignjata Dordica 10
Zagreb, Croatia

Read more about Gay and Lesbian Croatia