Pride in Podgorica: celebrating life
05/10/2026, Tijana Lekić Podgorica
Carrying rainbow flags and banners reading “Why so many suicides” and “Proud to be ourselves”, approximately 350 participants in the 14th annual Montenegro Pride parade marched peacefully on Saturday, 3 October, from the government headquarters to Argentina Square in Podgorica. With the slogan “We will live celebrating life!”, this year’s Pride organisers denounced the rise of the right, militarisation and wars, calling on citizens to fight for rights and a dignified life.
Reflecting on the current situation in Montenegro, Staša Baštrica, executive director of the organisation Kvir Montenegro, described a political climate “where sentences are being questioned and condolences are being expressed to the families of war criminals, while the adoption of laws of fundamental importance to citizens is being postponed or blocked”.
“The real enemies are not gays, lesbians, bisexuals and trans people”, said Baštrica.
Ali Erdogan of the NGO Kvir Montenegro called for same-sex union rights to be fully respected and for the identity of transgender people to be recognised “without imposed medical procedures”.
“No one should be forced to demonstrate courage just to live a normal life”, said Erdogan.
It is a normal life that provides for the law on the legal recognition of gender identity on the basis of self-determination, which has not yet been adopted.
After eight years of drafting, the bill was ready by the end of 2024, and the European Commission issued a positive opinion on 13 December of that year. Despite its adoption having been announced several times as part of the obligations under Chapter 23 of the accession negotiations, the government has not yet submitted the bill to parliament for review.
The day before the Pride, the Spektra association filed a complaint with the Ombudsman. Activists claim that the Ministry of the Interior ties gender transition to medical procedures, even though the law does not require it. Among those attending the Pride was Ombudsman Siniša Bjeković.
The event was also attended by many foreign citizens, mostly from Russia and Turkey, the countries of origin of the majority of LGBT asylum seekers in Montenegro. According to data from the Ministry of the Interior, of the 27 asylum requests submitted by LGBT people between 2022 and the end of 2025, only two have been accepted to date.
Iskra Đurišić of the Spektra association, a member of the Montenegro Pride organising committee, thanked participants for making their voices heard. Together, she said, “we will create a space where everyone can live freely, safely and with dignity”.
Between 3:00 and 4:00 PM, participants gathered in front of the government building in Podgorica, where the march began. With this year’s Pride parade, organisers denounced the rise of the right, militarisation and wars, calling on citizens to fight for rights and a dignified life. Photo: Tijana Lekić
Between 3:00 and 4:00 PM, participants gathered in front of the government building in Podgorica, where the march began. With this year’s Pride parade, organisers denounced the rise of the right, militarisation and wars, calling on citizens to fight for rights and a dignified life. Photo: Tijana Lekić
“I am happy that you are so brave, so full of love and so positive. Let this Pride begin”, said Lana Vee, addressing the audience around 4:00 p.m., shortly before the parade headed toward the city center. Photo: Tijana Lekić
“I am happy that you are so brave, so full of love and so positive. Let this Pride begin”, said Lana Vee, addressing the audience around 4:00 p.m., shortly before the parade headed toward the city center. Photo: Tijana Lekić
At the head of the parade were Staša Baštrica and Ali Erdogan from the NGO Kvir Montenegro, along with drag queen Lana Vee. Participants passed through Bokeška and Njegoševa streets and Ivan Crnojević Avenue to reach Argentina Square. Photo: Tijana Lekić
At the head of the parade were Staša Baštrica and Ali Erdogan from the NGO Kvir Montenegro, along with drag queen Lana Vee. Participants passed through Bokeška and Njegoševa streets and Ivan Crnojević Avenue to reach Argentina Square. Photo: Tijana Lekić
Independent MP Jevrosima Pejović and civic activist Aleksandar Dragićević participate in the Montenegro Pride march. Photo: Tijana Lekić
Independent MP Jevrosima Pejović and civic activist Aleksandar Dragićević participate in the Montenegro Pride march. Photo: Tijana Lekić
The march started from the government building, passing through Bokeška and Njegoševa streets and Ivan Crnojević Avenue, to Argentina Square. Photo: Tijana Lekić
The march started from the government building, passing through Bokeška and Njegoševa streets and Ivan Crnojević Avenue, to Argentina Square. Photo: Tijana Lekić
The parade passes along Njegoševa Street, next to the city center bars. Photo: Tijana Lekić
The parade passes along Njegoševa Street, next to the city center bars. Photo: Tijana Lekić
The parade was patrolled by police. According to the Police Directorate, the Pride parade took place without incident. Photo: Tijana Lekić
The parade was patrolled by police. According to the Police Directorate, the Pride parade took place without incident. Photo: Tijana Lekić
Participants from Turkey with messages in English and Kurdish: “Freedom for LGBTI prisoners in Turkey” and “There is no life without transgender people”. From 2022 to the end of 2025, twenty-seven asylum applications based on sexual orientation and gender identity were filed in Montenegro. Photo: Tijana Lekić
Participants from Turkey with messages in English and Kurdish: “Freedom for LGBTI prisoners in Turkey” and “There is no life without transgender people”. From 2022 to the end of 2025, twenty-seven asylum applications based on sexual orientation and gender identity were filed in Montenegro. Photo: Tijana Lekić
“Who lives our lives? Or rather, who do we live them for?”, asked Staša Baštrica, director of the NGO Kvir Montenegro. Photo: Tijana Lekić.
“Who lives our lives? Or rather, who do we live them for?”, asked Staša Baštrica, director of the NGO Kvir Montenegro. Photo: Tijana Lekić.
“Pride is a symbol of celebration, but also a place to listen to the people who have been working for years to ensure that LGBTIQ people in Montenegro can live freely, equally and with dignity”, said Iskra Đurišić of the Pride organising committee. Photo: Tijana Lekić
“Pride is a symbol of celebration, but also a place to listen to the people who have been working for years to ensure that LGBTIQ people in Montenegro can live freely, equally and with dignity”, said Iskra Đurišić of the Pride organising committee. Photo: Tijana Lekić
“This is our place. And we belong here today, tomorrow and forever”, said Ali Erdogan of the NGO Kvir Montenegro. He also spoke of solidarity with those affected by the wars in Palestine, Sudan and Ukraine. Photo: Tijana Lekić
“This is our place. And we belong here today, tomorrow and forever”, said Ali Erdogan of the NGO Kvir Montenegro. He also spoke of solidarity with those affected by the wars in Palestine, Sudan and Ukraine. Photo: Tijana Lekić
Roma children at the Pride parade, wearing rainbow bracelets and raising their fingers in greeting. Photo: Tijana Lekić
Roma children at the Pride parade, wearing rainbow bracelets and raising their fingers in greeting. Photo: Tijana Lekić
Diplomatic representatives at the Montenegro Pride, holding a banner that reads: “Diplomats for Pride”. Photo: Tijana Lekić
Diplomatic representatives at the Montenegro Pride, holding a banner that reads: “Diplomats for Pride”. Photo: Tijana Lekić
Montenegro Pride. Photo: Tijana Lekić
Montenegro Pride. Photo: Tijana Lekić
Palestinian flag – Montenegro Pride. Photo: Tijana Lekić
Palestinian flag – Montenegro Pride. Photo: Tijana Lekić
