Tim za socijalno uključivanje i smanjenje siromaštva

Author: Marko Lumo (Social Inclusion Blog)

That February of 2013, one phone call to hang-out and a few hours ofrather an intense discussion on activism with an old friend changed my life completely. (…) After those few hours of conversation, constructive discussion, and education (provided by said friend), the only logical conclusion was to get involved and join Citizens Association “Egal,” an organisation founded and run by her. (…)

During this conversation I learned almost everything there is to know about what it means to be trans*(…), what kind of problems members of this community face, like – constant discrimination, physical and psychological abuse, exclusion from normal everyday social events, complete legal invisibility because it is impossible for them to obtain personal documents which would reflect their gender identity and therefore exercise the rights guaranteed by the Constitution or Legislation of the Republic of Serbia. I also found out about the mechanisms used by the CA “Egal” activists in their fight for the improvement of the quality of life of members of trans* and LGBI community.

Joining this fight meant that I had to appear in public as a gay individual, which was very difficult for me at that particular moment since I “came out”only to a few of my friends. What came next for me was “coming out” to my family, despite the fear I felt of being judged and rejected, reactions were more than positive. (…)

For the first time in my life, I could breathe. I am saying this even though I have never actually stopped breathing; what I felt after shedding that burden can only be compared to resurfacing after a deep dive. You inhale, and those little lights that appear before your eyes when you don’t have enough oxygen just disappear, and your whole body is taken over by a sense of calm. You know that you have endured the worst of it and that now everything will be all right. (…)

After I had told my family who I really was, the world around me was painted in different colours. I no longer had to live a double life or to invent stories so I could hide the real ones, all that has helped me to walk with my head held high since I finally had nothing to hide. This confession opened me to a better understanding of my environment, and consequently to self-improvement. I joined CA “Egal” and through learning from older (and also younger) in other words more experienced colleagues and friends, and by participating in various activities, debates and field work (which is one of the key modes of operation of this organization) I tried to do my best and make a difference for my friends, myself, and the whole LGBI and trans* community. (…)

I took my aspirations and my efforts towards creating a better environment for all members of LGBI and trans* community to the next level on March 10, 2015, when I got involved in the “Creating Tolerance and Understanding for LGBT Population in Serbian Society” project implemented by the Office for Human and Minority Rights, this project is a product of a bilateral agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway. Now as a member of a small but expert and dedicated team, and with the wholehearted help and cooperation of the employees of the Office for Human and Minority Rights I am continuing the fight I started that February in 2013.

The text in its entirety can be found on the Social Inclusion Blog.