Public announcement

In order to better inform the LGBTI community in the Republic of Macedonia, regarding which political option might provide it with a better everyday life and equality on a local level, the LGBTI Support Centre prepared a questionnaire regarding the plans of political parties in their programs for improvement of the protection of the rights of the LGBTI community.

The questionnaire covers local government issues which affect everyday lives of LGBTI individuals. It comprises discrimination, commissions on equal opportunities, education and local media, as well as tourism, in order to see the preparedness of our society to accommodate tourists of different profiles and provide them with a safe and pleasant stay.

The questionnaire was sent to political parties in the Republic of Macedonia in the election campaign, among which are VMRO DPMNE, SDSM, DUI, DPA, DOM, LDP, SPM, NSDP, LP, VMRO DP, VMRO NP, DUA, NDM, PDP, PIR, PCER, SDU, NDP, PODEM.

None of the aforementioned parties showed interest to answer the questions, which we consider to be very irresponsible toward an entire group of citizens and voters.

On the contrary, instead of them promoting diversity and refrain from insults toward an entire population group in Macedonia, we have already witnessed abuse and homophobic statements where an entire community is placed in a negative connotation.

We harshly condemn the racism and homophobia in the statement of the candidate for mayor of Ohrid, Aleksandar Petreski.

In his statement, “The son of Bandini from Shutka didn’t fall in love with me because I don’t “swing both ways”. It’s normal that he falls in love with them”, without any reason he humiliated and hurt the feelings of citizens with different skin color and different sexual orientation than most citizens.

We also harshly condemn the conclusion of the Youth of VMRO DPMNE that a future in which two men are kissing is not desirable.

The Youth of VMRO DPMNE Gostivar, uploaded a picture on its Facebook profile, on which one of the political opponents for the local elections is kissing another man. Even though it is not known precisely what this is about, this private photograph has been abused by putting it in a homophobic context, even though the photo itself may not be proof of someone’s sexual orientation.

With such statements, an exclusive society is promoted instead of an inclusive one, which does not lead to resolution, on the contrary, it leads to deepening the social, economic and political crisis in the country. It is outrageous for representatives of the institutions of the system (also on a local level) to abuse someone’s skin color or sexual orientation, especially because the candidates for mayors aspire for a position through which they should provide a dignifying life and equal opportunities for all citizens of the municipality they wish to lead.

You can download a sample of the questionnaire (in Macedonian) on the following link .