QueerBeograd 4

‘Good evening and welcome to this evenings programme,Tonight comrades we will be introducing the topic of sexual revolution. First of all I want you to clear you minds of any unclean or improper thoughts Voyeurism will not be tolerated, as we all know a revolution is for active participants… We will have no innocent bystanders here.’

‘The revolution begins at home in our hearts, and our bedrooms, so let us demonstrate to you the politically correct sexual positions for the revolution. Myself comrade Sasa and comrade Maja will guide to towards the purest expression of true political vigour.’

‘So comrade maja..what is the first political position we will demonstrate?’

This lines openend the 4th QueerBeograd festival “The sexual revolution”, which took place 5th to 7th of October 2007 in Magacin ( a recently opened artists/activist space).
3 days of Performances, concerts, discussions, exhibitions (Lamda Kragugevac, Transfabulous London), movies (DIY, supported by entzaubert Berlin) and direct actions reclaimed a safe queer space in Belgrade, Serbia. Participants fom all over the region (Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia, Slovenia..) and other parts of the world came together, to connect, exchange, enjoy and celebrate.

Focusing on the topics of “trans issues” and “sexwork” the festival opened a space to establish visibility and to share experiences. Experiences of being Trans in the Balkan, and experiences of working in /around the sexindustry. The discussion on “trans issue” was organized in cooperation with the first trans-group, which was founded in Belgrade earlier this year.

The evening before around 150 people attended the opening of the festival, and enjoyed regional /international performances (with jet moon, jason elvis barker, milan djuric...viva la diva, boban stojanovic,maja savic, sasa pokrajac) , and concerts (Linsdey Cockwell, Zluradi Paradi, Martin Laura Feer , VJ Oskur, DJane Ana).

On Sunday the 7th a bus full of queers left for Novi Sad to join the antifaschist march against the neonazi-groups “Nacionalni Stroj” and “Obraz”. ( http://www.afans.org/), while the rest of the crew organized a public queer picknick in Belgrade.

The festival was closed by screening “Venuz Boys” in Illegalni Bioskop (illegal cinema) and a presentation by JetMoon about her activist/artist work.

What is QueerBeograd?
QueerBeograd is an international group of people who decided to stand against the violence:
Because first attempt of organizing Pride Parade in Belgrade in 2001. was blocked by large group of violent homophobic hooligans. Because this violence is a result of politics of war, clericalism, nationalism, militarism and machismo that has been mainstream politics in Serbia during last 15 years. Because second attempt to make LGBTTIQ (LesbianGayBisexualTranssexualTransgenderIntersexualQueer) community and politics visible on streets of Belgrade in 2004. had to be canceled because organizers again couldn’t guarantee for participants safety. Because the state and citizens are still ignorant toward problems of LGBTTIQ population and all the others who are “Different”. Because “Human Rights” are abused on daily bases.
In this context to be queer means to refuse social rules and to constantly re-question supposed norms of patriarchal tradition. To create space beyond the rigid boxes of homo or hetero sexuality, allowing each other the ‘privilege’ of self definition. To present a radical politics that sees the interconnectedness of all forms of oppression.