Europe House and the Young European Ambassadors (YEA) network hosted a panel discussion at the Europe House marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT). The panel discussion was titled “The Power of Communities”. This is the theme of this year’s global commemoration. The event brought together activists, institutional representatives, and members of the community. Through an open dialogue panellists discussed the challenges and strengths of LGBTIQ+ communities in Montenegro. The panel highlighted the importance of mutual solidarity, the sharing of collective wisdom, and emotional resilience in the struggle for human rights.
The panellists included Marica Vlahović, Head of the LGBTIQ+ Office of the Capital City, Katica Maksan, Project Coordinator at CEDEM and LGBTIQ+ activist, and Hana Konatar, queer activist and artist. The discussion was moderated by Vojin Ćetković, activist and Young European Ambassador.
The panellists shared personal experiences about the beginnings of their Activism, confronting fears, and the strength they found in the community.
“I think we create our community. The beginning was hard, with no safe spaces and very little institutional support,” said Katica Maksan, reflecting on her early days in the LGBT movement in Montenegro.
Marica Vlahović added, “I am proud of the networking during the pandemic. Many young people became active and realised that there are safe and welcoming spaces.”
Hana Konatar was open about the cost of engagement: “Activism took a huge part of my hope. It took away my faith that change is possible, but at the same time, it pushed me to keep going.”
The discussion raised important questions: How can trust be built between the community and institutions? Do human rights strategies truly involve real members of the community? Who remains invisible within the community, and how can they be included?tvorena su pitanja: Kako izgraditi povjerenje između zajednice i institucija? Da li strategije za ljudska prava uopšte uključuju stvarne članove zajednice? Ko su nevidljivi unutar same zajednice i kako ih uključiti?
The panellists pointed out the difference between genuine and performative solidarity. They also stressed the importance of an intersectional approach that considers class, nationality, and gender differences, as well as the fact that women make up the majority of Activists but remain invisible, both within the LGBTIQ+ and feminist movements. They agreed that visibility does not necessarily mean coming out, but rather ensuring the presence of topics that matter to the community. Participants emphasised that while laws are crucial, they mean little if the community remains excluded from their formation and implementation. Building trust and empowering community members to become active agents of change is essential.
The event concluded with a call to strengthen the community from within: through education, mutual support, and the creation of spaces for authentic, uncompromised living.