Democratic government's are meant to protect their people. In turn, the people pledge their allegiance. Unfortunately, post-Soviet Serbia's not living up to its promise.

Gay activists hoped to organize a pride march this summer, but say public officials refuse to guarantee their safety. The Queeria Culture and Non-Violence Center's Boban Stojanović held a news conference yesterday and blasted his country's lackluster equality: "In order to realize the freedom of movement that is guaranteed to us by the constitution, we, the homosexuals, need the police protection, which they cannot provide."

Rather than coming out for the queers, coppers reportedly told Stojanović to hire private security companies.

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