Gay rights in Serbia

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Gay rights in Serbia

1 Law against gays
2 Protection based on sexual orientation in law
3 Recognition of same-sex couples
4 Gay life in the country
5 References
6 LGBT NGO's in Serbia

[edit] Law against gays

Homosexual sex was legalised in Vojvodina in 1981, when Vojvodina had some degree of law-making. From 1994, Homosexual sex was legalised in whole Serbia, including Kosovo and Vojvodina. The age of consent for sex between two persons of the same sex has been equal to that for sex between two persons of the opposite sex in Serbia^[1] since January 1, 2006. Lesbian sex don't exist in Serbian law. Official medical textbooks still classify homosexuality as an illness under the heading "Sexual Deviations and Disorders".

Homosexuals are banned from military service, but few try to prove that. The whole process for proving is very difficult and embarrassing, with numerous psychological sessions every couple of years. Serbian army goes by saying "Don't ask, don't tell" policy.

[edit] Protection based on sexual orientation in law

An anti-discrimination law was enacted in the Kosovo region in 2001 in acts "On Essential Labour Law in Kosovo"(October 2001), and "On the Kosovo Civil Service"(December 2001).

[edit] Recognition of same-sex couples

There is no legal recognition of same-sex couples. In the new constitution of Serbia, witch is adopted in November 2006, there is a constitutional ban for civil unions and same-sex marriage.

[edit] Gay life in the country

Gays and lesbians continue to face discrimination and harassment in Serbia. The police have conducted raids and beaten gays, which have been very rare, probably none, in the last few years. The gay scene is very small. There are currently two gay clubs, "X club" and "G Club" in Belgrade, and one in Novi Sad "Mesto". Additionaly, few gay and gay-friendly cafes are located in the downtown area of Belgrade and Novi Sad. There are also public LGBT parties, organised few times a month, mostly in Belgrade and Novi Sad. Anti-gay attitudes are deeply ingrained.

Development of gay lifestyle is contributed by LGBT sites such as Gay-Serbia and Queeria which are important online points for meeting other gay and gaytolerant people, as well as for organising gay activism.