It Is Not Ramadan, It is Nationalism

12 September 2008

Husein Oručević from OKC Abra�evic youth and cultural centre from Mostar talked to Slobodanka Dekić, activist of the Q Organization, about the coming First Queer Festival in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Festival has caused quite a reaction, albeit negative, in the public, earlier this month. In solidarity with the Q Organization, OKC opened its doors as a public space that is open to all topics to be discussed, especially the topics regarding oppressed populations.

Slobodanka Dekic at OKC Abrasevic

Slobodanka, there are hard times for your organization. You have gone through a lot, but obviously, the biggest attacks came lately, with the radical reactions by political parties and other organizations. Would you describe to us the situation, your positions and next moves?
Dekić: On one hand, whatever we did that was of some significance � indeed, all our activities are public, but this is the biggest project so far � has usually met with predominantly negative reactions, like, we will kill you, you should burn at the stake, you are sick, etc. We are encouraged, though, by the fact that one segment of the public has come to our support, which is a first and is of huge importance for us at this very moment.

In my opinion, the whole brouhaha was created by the media, above all SAFF weekly and Dnevni Avaz daily, who basically came forward with false information. That is the real problem. The media made some connection with a gay pride parade that would be held in Sarajevo and was then somehow cancelled and moved to Mostar. Then the big issue � what`s with the festival in the Month of Ramadan, and so on, so we came out with a public statement. Our point is that the festival was not intended as a provocation. It was planned for almost a year now, the date was chosen because we didn`t want to overlap with other festivals in BIH and the region. Second, and there is no way for us to emphasize this enough, that this is a secular country. Activities here are not planned in accordance with religious calendars.

I lament the fact that some people perceive this as a provocation. We do understand that this is a hotly disputed subject, there are different views and that is all fine. We don`t have to agree about everything. But once the city is covered with posters saying `death to the faggots`, we can`t really talk anymore. It is for the police and the judiciary to be involved, a line has been crossed and it is difficult to get bet to business as usual. So, we came out with a public statement to deny all allegations in those false reports. First of all, it is a festival, not a parade. It is not a provocation, for such provocation is impossible in a secular state. Finally, nothing is moved to Mostar and the Festival will be held as planned, September 24-28, in Sarajevo. What is happening in Mostar is promotional activities that were planned well in advance. Indeed, we though about it � why put everything in Sarajevo? It could be good for us to move around a bit. Abra�ević was always open for us and this type of activities but then it suddenly transformed into something else, some alleged moving of the Festival to Mostar and a drama than nobody needs, and we need it the least of all.

This is, quite clearly, a picture of a xenophobic society. A number of old wounds got opene � it was Croats, Serbs and Muslims, now it`s the homosexuals and tomorrow it will be the people that wear yellow jackets and die their hair red that will be on such posters. It paints, it seems, quite a realistic picture of BiH society. It is the obvious intent of this society and the education system, which has invested quite an effort to that effect over the past 15 years, to produce just that impression. I believe, and I should guess our audience agrees, that you shouldn`t give up and move the festival. Simply, it has to happen to break that barrier in our society. Did you consider giving up on the Festival altogether?

Dekić: Not for a second. I repeat, we have invested so much effort and so many people have put their hearts and minds into this that we don`t even think about it without a very good objective reason. I can`t think of such objective reason myself, but a religious calendar is not it. We are not going to give up. In my view, the festival has already outgrown its limits. I`d loath for this to sound pretentious, but this small festival, in its first edition, makes so much noise and fuss. The whole harangue is just one expression of the nationalism that is devouring this country from within and holds it pinned down at the bottom for years. For, nationalism is not just say I hate, say, Serbs, or Bosniaks or Croats, whatever. Nationalism is a matrix that enters everything, the family, sexuality, all aspects of one`s identity. That is what it`s all about. This has nothing to do with the Month of Ramadan. I am sorry that somebody chose to use such a holiday as a cover for his or her own hatred and homophobia. They hide behind Ramadan. Would it be different if this was in December, not during Ramadan? Most certainly not. We would hear the same things, see the same posters. What does it mean when a city that is concerned about matters of faith is covered with posters demanding `death to the faggots`? That is a call for lynching in what should be a month of non-violence.

We didn`t bring this up just like that. Over the past 15 years or so, we have had a lot of such posters demanding death, with the only difference that now it is homosexuals that take place of other communities on those posters. It is obvious � it is about xenophobic nationalism against class, race, nationality and gender. It is the highest time, though, for you to tell us more about the festival itself. We all talk about it taking a political side, of it being a serious political action that caused reactions. We, in OKC OKC Abra�ević, being involved in activism ourselves, see this as a serious political move.

Dekić: The festival itself was seen a space that will provoke, overcome and confirm all those norms and values surrounding the issue of sex, gender and sexual orientation. The Idea was to represent all those letters that represent lesbian, gay, trans, bi, intersex and queer populations and that some find confusing, through real life stories. That is a simple, seemingly, concept that could explain the everyday struggles, activism, fears and love. It is different on one hand, but it is the same on the other. We are all bothered by similar problems, with the disticntion that here we somewhat different position and viewpoint.

At this moment, we are promoting the film programme, which makes up for a major part of the festival, mostly consisting of documentary films. The audience in Mostar will be able to see two films that will be screened in Sarajevo, too. First of all, we have Lilies by Canadian director John Grayson, who is also a gay-rights activist. Lilies is his best known film that discusses the topic of teenage love, disclosure, revenge and friendship in an interesting and poetic manner. Then there is the documentary film We Are Dad by American director Michel Horvat, which follows the story of a gay couple who adopted five HIV positive children in Florida. Then it runs out that one of the kids wasn`t HIV positive, and the state moves in to revoke their custody rights, claiming that a healthy child should not be left with an unhealthy family. The couple then enters a fierce legal fight to protect its rights in a fantastic story about stupidity and hypocrisy that ends well.

Naturally, there will be other films and performances. We have Ivo Dinchev from the Netherlands with his great play Lili Handel; Lobotom vs. Penis, too; Viva la Diva, the first trans-drag star in Serbia comes with two performances. Then we have the participants of the Okreni Oqueer competition, and we really have so many fabulous things to offer. I invite all people to come and see, if nothing else, so that they should know what to hate, because I don`t think they know what they hate at this moment.

We have so much more to say, about pain and suffering and understanding, so lacking here. I hope that this `other` will become a part of a more equal system and society and that it is the highest time to act like it. Thanks again and I leave you the mike for your message to the listeners.

Dekić: Thank you for your support and see you all at teh Festival, between September 24 and 28. You can see the programme and other information on our website www.queer.ba/qsf.htm.