LGBT Forum Progress
LGBT Forum Progress is the oldest LGBTI organisation in Montenegro. It was founded on December 10, 2010 and officially registered in January 2011. It is a community-based organisation, which provides direct social support services, monitors and reports hate speech online, and does extensive LGBTI advocacy.
History
LGBT Forum Progress was founded on December 10, 2010[1] (International Human Rights Day) by a group of dedicated LGBTI activists, allies, and friends of the community. The formation of LGBT Forum Progress marks the formal start of the organised Montenegrin LGBTI movement, which is active to this day.
Mission and Vision[2]
LGBT Forum Progres is a non-governmental organization that brings together all LGBTIQ + people in Montenegro and is committed to respecting, promoting and protecting their human rights and freedoms and full equality in society.
Vision: Montenegro as a democratic and European country, with a socially accepted, visible and protected LGBTIQ + community.
Mission: Creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all LGBTIQ + people, through community building and strengthening, public advocacy, social and health care, political and economic participation and providing development opportunities in all areas.
SeaSide Pride
In July 2013, LGBT Forum Progress organised the first ever pride parade in Montenegro, called the SeaSide Pride[3], in the coastal town of Budva. The event was marked by significant hate and violence, alongside strong police presence. Following the end of the march, participants had to be evacuated via boats to safety. However, despite all challenges, this marks a turning point in Montenegrin LGBTI history.
Programmes
LGBT Forum Progress currently has 3 prominent programmes, which have been in operation for over a decade:
- LGBTIQ Shelter, for victims and survivors of violence. This programme offers housing, food, security, as well as psychosocial and legal support to LGBTI people in need.
- Hate speech monitoring and reporting, focused on monitoring the Internet and social media for anti-LGBTI comments and statements, and filing charges to the Police. So far, several thousand charges have been filed.
- Public advocacy and policy, which targets decision-makers, broader public, and other key segments of the society in order to advance human rights of LGBTI people in Montenegro.
Lawsuit against Montenegro for discrimination
In June 2022, LGBT Forum Progress filed a lawsuit for discrimination against the state of Montenegro, in connection with the discriminatory application of the Law on life partnership of persons of the same sex, in the part concerning the inability of Montenegrin citizens to exercise the right to have their same-sex partnerships concluded abroad recognised and entered into registry in Montenegro, even though this Law provides for that very right. [4] The case is ongoing.
References
- ↑ "First LGBT Group Begins Work in Montenegro". Balkan Insight. 2011-02-18. Retrieved 2022-06-19.
- ↑ "Djelovanje Progresa". LGBT Forum Progres (in српски / srpski). Retrieved 2022-06-19.
- ↑ "Montenegro's First Gay Pride March Attacked". Balkan Insight. 2013-07-24. Retrieved 2022-06-19.
- ↑ "LGBTI discrimination lawsuit against Montenegro". LGBT Forum Progres (in српски / srpski). 2022-06-08. Retrieved 2022-06-19.
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