Serbia's Eurovision: Too Dangerous For Gays To Attend?

The president of Serbia has issued "a guarantee for the safety of delegations, press and fans" attending this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade. Concerns have been raised about possible violence from Serbia's active fascist element, particularly against the many gay men that follow Eurovision so avidly.

Last week a local fascist organization vowed in their newspaper to attack gays attending the contest, calling Eurovision "gay youth day." In 2001, dozens were seriously injured when the group attacked attendees of Belgrade's first gay pride event. Video here. Serbia, one of worst places in the world to be gay, is not a member of the EU and alarms were raised when they won the right to host the 53rd annual Eurovision. The British government already advises citizens to exercise "extreme caution" when visiting Serbia.