After all these years in activism since the nineties; after all the persecutions, interrogations, and beatings I've endured; after organizing Pride in 2001 - when we ended up in bloody, brutal violence without any state protection - it's wonderful to see you all here in a completely different atmosphere. It truly is beautiful to see the diversity of all of you who are with us. Of course, we still have a long road ahead in the fight for true freedom. Martin Luther King, leader of the movement for the liberation and rights of Black people in America, said that people born into freedoms and privileges, which are taken for granted for them, find it difficult to understand the lives of those of us who do not belong to the majority. We, who do not have those rights and freedoms, must fight for them bitterly and painfully.

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We exist in all cultures, societies, traditions throughout history, but our existence has been brutally suppressed through various forms of torture, violence, killings, and pathologizing. Unfortunately, this is still the case in many parts of the world today. The scarf I wear is from Morocco, in solidarity with the people of this country - considering the tragedy that has befallen them - where LGBTIQ individuals face a prison sentence of ten years. I ask for solidarity for all our brothers and sisters - however anyone identifies - for our rainbow family worldwide.

For decades in Serbia, we have been fighting for a life without violence, equal to all other citizens, but we are told by the top authorities, whom we all pay dearly, that we do not have that right.

When one man, who decides everything in this country, and his group of people declare another group of citizens less valuable; when he says that trans individuals are a "woke invention" and refuses to accept laws on gender identity and same-sex unions, for which we have fought for so long, which guarantee basic human rights that every human being deserves - that is called fascism!

When textbooks are removed that inform children that there are people of different skin colors, cultures, nations, ethnicities, religions, and even gender identities and sexual orientations - that is called clerical fascism.

When a clique in society possesses all the economic power, and the majority of citizens live in economic violence and poverty, which particularly affects the most vulnerable groups such as trans and the entire LGBTIQ spectrum, that is a form of fascism. That is why LGBTIQ rights are a class issue and an issue of class struggle.

A state secretary in the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights, which we also pay dearly, makes disgusting, transphobic statements - while many LGBTIQ individuals end up as homeless due to overall violence, especially in smaller towns in Serbia, without any social protection.

There is no trans, LGBTIQ ideology manipulated by authorities, politicians, or the church, only the basic need of an oppressed, endangered minority for basic human rights - the need for equality with all other citizens in this country and worldwide. Although the word "empathy" is often used these days, it is obvious that those in power lack basic humanity and understanding - that we are all different but deserve equal rights as human beings.

Let all politicians who wonder "what is wrong with us" spend a few days as a trans or gay person in Bujanovac, Jagodina, Novi Pazar. They will quickly understand what is lacking for us. Let them get to know the life of a trans Romani woman who cannot leave her house because of violence, who has nothing to live on, collects rainwater to have water, and who received a one-time social assistance of four thousand dinars - while stadiums are being built and driverless cars are being planned.

Almost every LGBTIQ person I talk to on the LGBTIQ SOS phone wants to leave this country.

Every LGBTIQ life, every individual, and every Pride is miraculous and revolutionary because we live in a world that tells us that as we are, we should not exist. That is the most destructive message a human being can receive and internalize.

And I will end with the words of Martin Luther King, despite the statements of President Vučić and his clique in power, we may accept temporary disappointment but we must never lose permanent hope and faith in change.

For all the destructive emotions of fear, shame, and horror they have inflicted on us, the greatest remedy is indeed - love. Love yourselves, let's love, empathize, sympathize with each other, help each other, because only then can we achieve a better society for all of us.

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Speech at Belgrade Pride 2023.