The Montenegrin society has to make efforts in the struggle for human rights that every citizen would be accepted as equal before law and society, regardless of sexual and gender differences, said the Center for Civic Education (CGO).
On the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, they said that institutions also have a special responsibility.
As stated, LGBT people in Montenegro, despite the declarative ban on discrimination, still lack the necessary support to enable them to obtain their rights and live without fear of having discomfitures due to their different sexual orientation or gender identity.
"This year's International Day Against Homophobia focuses on justice and protection for everyone, and UNDP also emphasizes the support to the development of initiatives to end exclusion, discrimination and violence against LGBT people," the statement said.
It is stated that this is imperative and is more than ever necessary, and on that line are the efforts of the CGO, which are currently strengthened within the framework of the project "NO to discrimination, YES to differences".
The CGO research conducted in February this year indicates a positive shift that should be used to move the position of LGBT people in Montenegro from declarative tolerance to full acceptance and appreciation.
As reported, the fact that 81 percent of the respondents state that they would help a LGBT person in case of witnessing an act of violence against him is inciting in the process of fighting against discrimination and violence.
When it comes to the law on the life partner of the persons of the same sex, about which the deputies will vote soon, 55 percent of citizens have a positive attitude towards adopting that act.
It is reported that this is a significant change compared to less than a fifth, or 18 percent from 2016.
The CGO argued that this should also be a source of encouragement for those delegates who are still in the process of measuring of how much it would impact their polls rather than being leaders in the promotion of human rights culture. The CGO survey also indicated that just under a third of citizens would accept their child completely if they find that there is a different sexual orientation than heterosexual.
As stated, middle age is the most fertile factor for influencing attitudes on various issues, values, and principles, but also their ability to fight for their own and the rights of those who cannot.
"Throughout the 11 workshops we had the opportunity to get acquainted with the attitudes of young people who positively surprised us, but some of them are seriously anxious because traditions, prejudices and stereotypes continue to spread among young people in Montenegro," the statement said.
That is why, as they say, it is necessary to continue the struggle for LGBTI rights, on the social scene and in the Assembly, and to adopt good legal solutions that will create the legal premise for the equal living of LGBT people in Montenegro.
"The CGC today celebrates the diversity that is treasured in every society, celebrating lesbians, homosexuals, trans, nonbinary, intersexual and queer people, activists and LGBT rights organizations, who with their own example stand against any form of discrimination in Montenegro," concludes the statement.
Text by MINA News, on May 17th 2019, read more at Vijesti
