Izvor: N1 televizija, 26.Avg.2018, 13:49 (ažurirano 02.Apr.2020.)
Minister will not apologise to LGBT community for comment
Serbia’s Minister Nenad Popovic said he does not want to accept the suggestion of the country’s Commissioner for the Protection of Equality and apologize to the LGBT community for a comment he made, saying he did not break any laws or insult anyone.
Popovic, who is a minister without portfolio in Serbia but is in charge of innovations and technological development, reacted to a news article about a specific coloring book.
"Roko has two mothers, Ana has two fathers: >> Pročitaj celu vest na sajtu N1 televizija << The first gay coloring book is taking over the region, planned to be issued in Serbian language," was the title of the news article.
"At a time when we, as a state, are fighting to support births the best we can, they are importing gay coloring books here from Croatia! This must be stopped urgently! We need to stand in the way of those who want to convince us that it is OK that Roko has two mothers, and Ana two fathers." the Minister tweeted.
Serbia’s Commissioner for Protection of Equality, Brankica Jankovic, reacted after LGBT associations complained to her, saying the Minister should apologise as he breached Serbia’s law banning discrimination with this comment.
"I declare that I will stand firmly behind my ideals, which the majority of Serbian citizens agree to, and that I will consistently advocate for Serbia never allowing 'Roko to have two mothers, and Ana two fathers'," Popovic said in a statement.
He criticised the work of Jankovic, who he said made the statement "after having slept for four months" prior to the Pride parade in Belgrade on September 16.
"Of course, this suggestion did not come at this moment by chance, especially when taking into account that one of the biggest demands of the organisers of this years’ gay parade is the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Serbia," Popovic said.
