Serbia gay parade to protect human rights

BELGRADE, Serbia, July 21 (UPI) -- Lesbian and gay groups said they plan a Belgrade parade to protest discrimination and human rights violations in Serbia.

An organizing committee of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups Tuesday announced a pride parade for Sunday, Sept. 20 to promote gay rights.

The committee said the parade will be organized in cooperation with Belgrade police, Serbia's B92 Online reported.

The organizers said they will try to avoid incidents like those in 2001 in Belgrade when participants were injured by members of Serbian nationalist extremist groups.

A majority of Serbs oppose gay marches, but "pride parade" organizers say the constitution and parliamentary law guarantee them equal rights.

The Serbian Ministry for Human and Minority Rights and more than 60 non-government organizations have voiced support for the parade.