Across the world, the rise of right-wing movements has brought with it a troubling narrative that being different – whether as a migrant, or based on religion, or as a member of the LGBT community – is a political or cultural sin.
One gets the impression that the value of human dignity is being eroded by the force of populist ideologies. Not even the region within which the PERSPEKTIVA show operates is immune. However, those who resist the onslaught are, for the most part, young people. They still firmly stand by their position that being different is not a sin. Valentina, Jelena, Mihaela and Adna say:
“Everyone has the right to their orientation, but they must be aware that they will always have to deal with the consequences in our society, which, I can’t say it’s not progressive, but, simply put, I’ll say it again, doesn’t accept those who are different.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/32745400.html
“That’s not normally acceptable, that’s not normal!” What does it mean to be normal? It means to be widely accepted. But, that does not mean that what is generally accepted is correct. Rejection stems from ignorance, and ignorance creates the first barrier: fear and defensiveness.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-mladi-banjaluka/31490341.html
“As soon as you declare yourself to be different from the majority, you are marginalized by default.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-banjaluka/32278148.html
“I think that people in our country make a lot of distinctions between people and that many people in our country live in fear. Speaking specifically about the LGBT community, many live in fear – fear of being who they truly are, fear of societal judgment throughout our country. Unnecessary distinctions are constantly made and attention is constantly being diverted from the problems that our country faces that are far more serious than someone’s sexual orientation”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0tMkfQET50&ab_channel=RadioSlobodnaEvropa
Young people agree – it is unacceptable for any part of the population to live in fear. Isidora and Marija echo this sentiment:
“LGBT rights in Banja Luka are non-existent. We see that these people are exposed to verbal violence.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-mladi-banjaluka/31490341.html
“People are ashamed, that is, members of the LGBTQ population are ashamed, they keep quiet about who and what they are. They suffocate themselves, and then they suffocate the relationships they are in.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u98tBMFJQy4&ab_channel=RadioSlobodnaEvropa
Interestingly, the few criticisms young people have about the LGBT community are not rooted in denial of rights, but in the way identity is presented, as Nemanja and Julijana point out:
“ Sometimes it feels like it’s being forced and emphasized too much – that a person’s whole character becomes about their sexuality.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/kosovo-mladi-perspektiva-nasilje-u-drustvu/32964242.html
“Gay parades are no longer about the promotion of human rights, but instead we see inappropriate behavior that has nothing to do with the fact that these communities demand equal rights, equal respect as heterosexuals.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-skoplje-treba-izgraditi-drzavu/32681509.html
Maybe it would be best for those who express a negative attitude towards diversity to ask themselves question that Vjera poses:
“I don’t think people should be against it because it’s not like you can choose what you’re going to be. People are born like that, it’s their identity. They will end up feeling bad because they have to pretend to be someone else just to avoid being abused by others, and rejected by society. How would you feel if you were in their shoes?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1DExJRh30g&ab_channel=RadioSlobodnaEvropa
The right to diversity, whatever form it takes, is not a favor granted by society, nor a political concession. After all, can anyone truly thrive in a society where we are all the same?
