The U.S. Embassy in Macedonia tweeted this:

Swedish Embassy:

In celebration of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, LGBT United Tetovo Macedonia organised an event in Tetovo, Macedonia.

For IDAHOT, the organisers have designed posters and flyers with the clear message: Say No to Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. The material was shared during the whole week in several cities in Macedonia such as Skopje, Stip, Strumica, Bitola, Ohrid, Gostivar and Tetovo.

LGBT United Tetovo Macedonia as a multi ethnic organisation lead the whole campaign in four languages which are spoken in Macedonia: Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish, Roma, as well as in English.

In Macedonia, various LGBTI and human rights groups, as well as their allies, organised a wide variety of events around the IDAHOT 2014, in what local activists described as the most beautiful, peaceful and important May 17.

We thank activists at LGBTI Support Center for drafting the majority of this report.

Flashmob & city park event

The National Network against Homophobia and Transphobia of Macedonia held a public activity / flashmob against homophobia and transphobia as a way of launching their main activities for May 17 this year.

A public event for IDAHOT also took place in cooperation with municipal authorities in the City Park. The event included a music program, speeches by LGBTI and human rights activists and experts, as well as info booths with promotional and educational material. At the end of the event, there were DJ sets of Mirko Popov, Sonja Ismail and Zoki Bejbe.

Source: LGBTI Support Center

Public debate: Hate crimes against LGBTI people

On 17 May, The National Network Against Homophobia and transphobia organized a public debate about Hate crimes against LGBTI people. This debate aimed to contribute to the fight against homophobia and transphobia in the direction of creating a culture of nonviolence in Republic of Macedonia, through the involvement of the legal and social implications of (un)protecting LGBTI people from violence. Speakers on the debate were: Zarko Trajanoski from Coalition „Sexual health and rights of marginalized communities“, Neda Calovska from Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of the Republic of Macedonia and the journalist Aco Kabranov. This debate was moderated by Sophia Velkovska from LGBTI Support Center.

You can see photos here on facebook.

May 17 was also marked by the participation of the No Hate Speech Movement, which is supported by the Council of Europe. The LGBTI Support Centre joined this campaign via blog posts which represented the realities that LGBTI people face in Macedonia today. The final report, which will contain information from the blog posts, will be reviewed by the Commissioner for Human Rights of Council of Europe.

Source: LGBTI Support Center

Launched of the initiative “Article 3″

On 15 of May in GEM Club, Coalition “Sexual and health rights of marginalized communities” Action Zdruzenska and Frick held a press conference to promote the summary of proposed changes for importing sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds for discrimination in the Law on Prevention and protection from discrimination. Local activists explain:

Initiative for proposed amendments is an activity within the project “Article 3-solidarity and support to improve the protection of discrimination of the LGBT community” That aims importing sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds on which discrimination is prohibited in the Law on Prevention and Protection of discrimination. This amendments would lead to legal recognition of LGBT community, increasing their visibility in the eyes of state institutions and general public and effective protection from violence and discrimination as well.

According to organizations working with the LGBTI community, sexual orientation and gender identity are equally important as the fundamentals race, gender and ethnicity. Here is also the obligation of the Republic of Macedonia to international institutions to bring these two grounds in law. Taking into consideration the Reports on the progress of the Republic of Macedonia to the EU, the latest Report of the Committee on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and two rounds of the Universal periodic review of Macedonia to the Human Rights Council at the United Nations, we can see that the obligation of the state to include sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds for discrimination in the law is underlined. It was underlined that the importing of sexual orientation and gender identity in the law would be a first step and an essential measure that legislators must take in order to protect LGBTI people from discrimination and violence, especially after the numerous attacks on LGBTI Support Center, attacks of the activists and constant hate speech. It was also noted that when it comes to protecting the human rights of the LGBT community, we should bear in mind that this is not just a matter of a marginalized community, but the degree of democracy in a society.

At the press conference speakers were: Dragana Drndarevska from Coalition „Sexual health and rights of marginalized communities“, Urania Pirovska, executive director of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of the Republic of Macedonia and Susanna Grozdanovska of Action Zdruzenska. Moderator was Velimir Zernovski from Formation of development initiatives in culture F.R.I.K. – Skopje.

Photos of the event on facebook and flikr. Press releases available here and here.

LGBT United Macedonia actions

Also, LGBT United Macedonia participated in the Tirana Diversity Festival and First Tirana Pride in Albania on May 17.

Activists also marked the day with a set of street flashmobs, movie screenings, demonstration, information booths and sprayed messages on city walls in Macedonia.

Source: LGBT United Macedonia

“Who is afraid of silence bad? Creative workshops held for young people”

On 17 May, at 12 pm in the House of ARM was held all day event by the “Creative Youth Action” Student organization “Izlez”. At the event, despite presentation of the products made by the participants in the five workshops (creative writing, illustration, photography, film and performance/theater), were presented products by other individuals, groups and organizations that were involved in this event. The goal was to stop the longstanding tradition of silence criticism aimed at the young people. Among the participants were representatives from organizations working with LGBT issues.
The project “Creative Youth Action” identifies the need for a space where young people can express themselves creatively and to express their views and opinions. Seven months of workshops contributed to successfully finding space and a way to defeat the silence.

You can see photos of the event here on flikr.

Marking of the International day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) at LGBTI Support Center

On May 17th, The LGBTI Support Centre held an event to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT). The event began with a speech by the Program Director of the Center, Kocho Andonovski,. In his address, he briefly presented the significance of that day in the global fight against homophobia and transphobia. Biljana Ginova from the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of Republic of Macedonia promoted the newly created Intervention Fund, whose main goal is providing help to members of LGBTI community in three main areas: housing, legal and medicinal area. At the end of the evening, the Executive Director of the Committee, Uranija Pirovska awarded certificates of gratitude to the participants in the “Macedonia has love for all” campaign, for their contribution in the reduction of homophobia and transphobia in Republic of Macedonia.

You can see photos here on facebook, and press releases here and here. You can see photos here on facebook and flikr.

Source: LGBT United Macedonia

Public Debate on theme: Homophobia/ Migration/ Workers Rights – Experiences from Germany and Macedonia

A part of the program for the International day against homophobia and transphobia was also a public debate at the LGBTI Support Centre, on 19th of May with the title “Homophobia/ Migration/ Workers rights – The experience from Macedonia and Germany”. Speakers at the debate were the previous German MP Lale Akgun, member of a trade union Zlatko Perijoski, and the debate was moderated by Kocho Andonovski the program director of the LGBTI Support Centre. Among the other, at the debate participated the German ambassador that emphasized the value of human rights and the need for respecting them in the Macedonian society, underlining the fact that Helsinki Committee for human rights in Republic of Macedonia is one of the organizations that have important contribution towards the promotion of the human rights and liberties. Photos here.

Debate – Legal change of gender

The National network for struggle against homophobia and transphobia, on the 21st of May, at the GEM club organized the round table on theme ,,Legal change of gender”. At the round table was opened discussion about the need of legal regulative of change of gender, especially of the personal documents, about the practice in Macedonia on this issue, and about the probable solutions that can be focus of civil organizations, LGBTI activists and members of the trans-community in Macedonia.

Participants at the discussion were Natasha Boshkovska from the Coalition “Sexual and health rights of marginalized communities”, Igor Raiden – coordinator of the support group for trans-persons at the LGBTI Support Center, and the same was moderated by Dragana Drndarevska from the National network for struggle against homophobia and transphobia. This activity was organized by the National network for struggle against homophobia and transphobia as a part of the project “SAY NO TO HOMOPHOBIA” that is implemented by “Subversive Front” in partnership with Coalition “Sexual and health rights of marginalized communities” and supported by the Fondation Open Society – Macedonia

Further information

• LGBT Support Center: website & facebook page.
• LGBT United Macedonia: facebook page.

Photo: March for Tolerance in Macedonia, November 2013

1. Public activity / flash mob against homophobia and transphobia – the specific topic of the activity is still under preparation within the Network. It will be held in the period 10-16.05.2014 and it will be used as an annunciation for the main activities

2. Public event for IDAHOT: The Network is in communication with the City and is in the process of securing space in the City Park for public social event in commemoration of
IDAHOT. The event will include a music program, speeches by LGBTI and Human Rights activists and experts, info booths with promotional and educational material etc.

3. Public panel debate on the topic of discrimination against LGBTI and diversities inside the LGBTI community: The LGBTI Support Centre is in the process of organising a public panel debate at which Macedonian, Spanish and Greek LGBTI NGO representatives will participate, each presenting the experience of LGBTI issues within their respective countries.

4. Participating in the No Hate Speech Movement (supported by Council of Europe): The LGBTI Support Centre will join this movement via blog post that represents the reality LGBTI people face in Macedonia today. The final report, which will contain information from the blog posts, will be reviewed by the Commissioner for Human Rights of Council of Europe.

The mission of the LGBTI Support Centre is strengthening the LGBTI community for self-advocacy, as well as changing the social and legal status of LGBTI people in the Republic of Macedonia. To visit their website click here or visit their Facebook page.

Jovana Ananievska, LGBTI Support Center, Macedonia

Organisers advised before the event, ‘Association of lesbian,gay, bisexual and transgender persons “LGBT UNITED” (“ЛГБТ Јунајтед” / “LGBT Junajted”) Macedonia again this year will celebrate IDAHO day 2013. Our activities already started in Gostivar. our members, activists put up posters with a message – Say No to homophobia, the posters were written in 4 languages (Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish and English). LGBT United is planning similar activities across Macedonia in the cityes of Skopje, Tetovo, Kumanovo, Shtip, Ohrid, Bitola, Kicevo. LGBT United will have direct contact with citizens through sharing flyers and promotional material where will be explained what is IDAHO and how you can prevent the homophobia and transphobia.

LGBT United Macedonia is an organization that has members of all nationalities living in Macedonia, and organization efforts that all activities are available throughout Macedonia, available in 4 languages. during activities we will try at all to explain what it is homophobia and transphobia and how to protect against hate speech.’

For more information please log onto: www.lgbtmacedonia.org

The statement now follows here in full:

For Immediate Release

Macedonia: Spate of Anti-Gay Attacks
Investigate, Condemn, Prosecute Assaults

(Berlin, July 10, 2013) – The Macedonian government should ensure a thorough investigation into the series of anti-LGBTI attacks in June and July 2013, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski. The victims included human rights defenders who gathered in the LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex) Support Center in Skopje at the beginning of the Gay Pride Week and a famous actor who had come out as a gay man.

In the most recent attack, on July 5, unidentified people tried to set fire to the LGBTI Support Center in Skopje. Preliminary findings by the fire brigade and the Skopje Police Inspection Department show that someone had climbed on the roof, removed a dozen roof tiles, spilled gasoline on the roof planks, and set them on fire.

“Anti-gay thugs are targeting people who support equal rights on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and the Macedonian government seems to be turning a blind eye,” said Boris Dittrich, LGBT rights advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “Not a single government official has publicly spoken out against these blatant attacks, leaving LGBTI people even more vulnerable to violence and discrimination.”

Skopje’s Pride week was opened in the LGBTI Support Center on June 22. Witnesses told Human Rights Watch that about 40 LGBTI activists were inside, at a film screening. A mob of about 30 people gathered outside, shouting derogatory and homophobic slogans and threatening the people inside. The assailants threw stones, bottles, and bricks at the center, wounding a police officer who had arrived on the scene, the witnesses said.

One of the leaders of LGBT United Macedonia, who was inside the center at the time of the attack, has since received several death threats on Facebook.

On June 25, a mob gathered outside the house of the openly gay actor and LGBTI human rights defender Petar Stojkovikj, who was inside with his partner. The mob threw stones at the house and shouted threats and homophobic slurs.

Most of the targets of the attacks filed complaints with the police. But no one has been arrested and the authorities have not provided information about any investigations they may be undertaking.

“The police have a responsibility to protect all Macedonians, and to investigate all crimes,” Dittrich said. “The prime-minister and the other government ministers should show some political leadership by calling on all Macedonians to halt the anti-LGBTI violence and discrimination.”

Since 2005 Macedonia has been involved in a “stabilization and association” process with the European Union as a candidate for future membership. Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which entered into force in December 2009, prohibits discrimination, specifically including discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

The European Commission wrote in its progress report on Macedonia in 2012:

The Anti-Discrimination Law is still not fully in line with the acquis; discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation is still omitted. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community continues to suffer from discrimination and stigmatization…. The framework law on anti-discrimination does not explicitly prohibit discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in employment and occupation and is therefore not fully in line with the acquis. A structured and systematic data analysis on discrimination has not been established. Awareness raising activities on equity and non-discrimination need to be intensified.

On March 31, 2010, the Committee of Ministers of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe unanimously adopted recommendations to combat discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. Macedonia is a member of the Council of Europe and its foreign affairs minister agreed to the recommendations.

The governments agreed to ensure effective, prompt, and impartial investigations into alleged cases of crimes and other incidents in which sexual orientation or gender identity could have been a motive, leading to appropriate punishment. They also agreed to take appropriate measures to combat all forms of expression that would promote discrimination against LGBT people, including in the media and on the Internet. They said that government representatives should promote tolerance and respect for the human rights of LGBT people when speaking with representatives of civil society, including media, sports, and political organizations, and religious communities.

And they said public authorities should publicly condemn any unlawful interference with freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, notably for LGBT people.

The Macedonian government needs to abide by these commitments, Human Rights Watch said. Officials should publicly denounce violence and hate speech against LGBTI people, investigate discriminatory incidents promptly, thoroughly, and fairly, and bring those responsible to justice. The authorities should take all necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“This troubling spate of anti-LGBTI attacks makes it all the more critical for the Macedonian government to take its Council of Europe commitments seriously,” Dittrich said. “The government silence after these attacks, combined with its general disregard for the basic human rights of LGBTI people, contributes to a vicious climate in which hate-filled people believe they can harass and threaten LGBTI rights defenders with impunity.”

For more Human Rights Watch reporting on Europe and Central Asia, please visit:

http://www.hrw.org/europe/central-asia

For more Human Rights Watch reporting on LGBT rights, please visit:

http://www.hrw.org/topic/lgbt-rights

For more information, please contact:

In Amsterdam, Boris Dittrich (English, German, Dutch): +1-917-535-3863; or dittrib@hrw.org
In New York, Graeme Reid (English): +1-212-216-1288; or +1-203-606-5847 (mobile); or reidg@hrw.org

Photo: May 17 2013 Campaign from www.lgbtmacedonia.org

This was followed by a visit to one university, where there was a discussion about LGBT issues with students from the Faculty of Justice. There was also a screening of a film about the history of the LGBT movement and an open discussion.