The conference was dedicated to the problems of the LGBTI community and the prevention and improvement of the tools needed to curb homophobia. This was also the opportunity to give voice to and exchange experiences of the parliaments in the region, discuss the political rights of LGBTI persons and join forces to come up with a solution how to improve the status of the community.

On the behalf of the Committee on Human and Minority Rights and Gender Equality, MP Ljiljana Malusic spoke of the progress made as regards political support of LGBTI rights both at the level of the Government and the level of the National Assembly. “The Committee on Human and Minority Rights and Gender Equality and the National Assembly had conducted a series of activities concerning the human rights of the LGBTI population and will continue and redouble their efforts on the issue in the future”, concluded Malusic.

The assembly was also addressed by the Advisor to the Montenegrin Prime Minister Jovan Kojcic who commended the Serbian Parliament’s initiative to host the conference. Kojcic informed the participants about the plans to launch the same kind of initiative in Montenegro at the national level, adding that he believed it to best reflect the new approach and concept of cooperation between NGOs and the authorities. He also took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of education as one of the key instruments for fighting social stereotypes. “I expect to hear from you about the problems the community has in the region, so that we could contribute to their resolution at the political level”, said Kojcic.

Irish MP Jerry Buttimer said he was very pleased to be invited to talk at the gathering stressing that the fact it was taking place in the parliament demonstrates the visibility and status of the community. He appealed to everybody to find adequate mechanisms to fight stereotypes and be the voice of change that will lead to full social equality.

The opening addresses were followed by a presentation on the regional public poll about the status of the LGBTI community in order to contribute to the improvement its position in the Western Balkans, which was in turn followed by a discussion.