by Rex Wockner
Gays will march in Belgrade, Serbia, on Oct. 10 for the first time since 2001, when marchers in the first Pride parade were beaten by nationalists, skinheads and soccer fans. Dozens of marchers and police officers were injured.
A planned Pride march last year was canceled under pressure from police and the government, who said they couldn't protect the marchers from thousands of anti-gays who planned to attack the event. Opponents of last year's aborted march had covered walls in the city center with graffiti that said, "We will get you," "Death to faggots" and "Blood will flow," and had spoken openly to reporters about the planned assault.
Following the parade's cancellation, the Swedish ambassador organized a "mini-pride" at his suburban residence. It was attended by about 50 people.
