Q Association: BiH is Secular State

03 September 2008

The Association Q responded to the false and insulting information about the first Queer Sarajevo Festival (QSF) and against members of LGBTIQ population in BiH published in the daily paper Dnevni Avaz (August 28 and September 2) and magazine SAFF (August 22). The full text of the reaction follows.

QSF is a Festival of art and culture which includes exhibitions, performances, public discussions and films (mainly documentaries). Preparation of the Festival has started at the end of August last year when the time frame (September 24-28) was chosen in order not to overlap with other festivals of similar character in Sarajevo and the region.

QSF and Organization Q have no intention to provoke, but to work in accordance with its activities and BiH legislation. We do respect identities and beliefs of others, and we do regret that the Festival itself has been seen as provocation of the Muslim holy holiday. Nevertheless, we would like to emphasize that each individual has a right to public action, gathering and organizing.

At the same time, we would like to appeal for respect of the identities and orientations of the LGBTIQ population, and to remind everyone that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a secular state, in which different activities and events cannot be synchronized with different religious calendars.

We ask of media to sustain from provocations and tension rising, because violence in this state is unacceptable. We also ask you to convey correct and full information from Organization Q to the public. We have always been open for dialogue and communication since we believe that this is the only possible way to decrease fear and prejudice concerning these and other issues, with the aim of reducing possibility of any kind of violence.

Furthermore, we would like to remind the politicians, the representatives of the institutions, and medical professionals that Bosnia and Herzegovina has adopted the Gender Equality Law four years ago. Article 2 of this law forbids discrimination based on sex and sexual orientation. Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights and its Protocol 12 forbids discrimination on any ground. In addition, please be reminded that homosexuality has been removed from the list of mental disorders of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1973.

Therefore, we appeal to you all to obey the laws of BiH as well as professional standards, and to sustain from usage of hate speech in public which encourages discrimination and violence against members of LGBTIQ population.

For all additional information, contact the Q Association at qsf@queer.ba and info@queer.ba or visit the websites www.queer.ba/udruzenje.htm and www.queer.ba/qsf.htm.