19/12/2019
Dissident radio network Radio Free Europe, which transmits independent journalism at the former communist bloc countries where a free media is frequently compromised by religious and political conservatism, has reported that the often belligerently bigoted Serbian Orthodox Church in the tiny state of Montenegro has permitted the baptism of a nineteen year old transgender man. "For me, religion is love," the man, who was christened under his adopted name of Vuk Adzic at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica on November 3, told Radio Free Europe's Balkan Service. There is something of a wrestle over Mr Adzik's baptism and what it means. The Church itself has downplayed the significance of the case, implying that it was a medical issue and that it does not represent any kind of shift in the organisation's policy which has been seen by many observers as deeply homophobic, transphobic and anti-liberal in all contexts. However, Bojana Jokic, speaking for the LGBT rights group Forum Progres, told the local newspapers that the baptism of a trans man was a welcome “symbolic step”. Radio Free Eirope's report added that Montenegro is seen generally as slightly more tolerant in public attitudes towards all minorities than neighbouring Balkan states.
