"Chauvinism, misogyny and homophobia cannot be a legitimate side in a public debate"

Montenegrin men and women who signed the letter for tolerance believe that lawyer Velibor Marković is not alone in his threats, remarks and condemnations against women and members of the LGBT population.

"We have witnessed this on social networks in recent days," reads the open letter.

Against the use of homophobic, misogynistic and chauvinistic attitudes in public space, over 370 citizens of various professions signed the open letter, while 344 of them signed online. petition.

"These days, the Montenegrin public is vigorously discussing misogyny and chauvinism. The reason for this is not only the recent statements and threats of a member of our society, who has a social influence through his profession, but the reason is much older than that, and its roots are deep in our everyday life. How many times in everyday communication is the argument of the biology of the female body used to explain women's dissatisfaction and moodiness; how many times is a woman in Montenegrin society reminded of her biological destiny, of the obligation to be a mother and a wife, in the first place; how often is her ability to performs a professional duty was put into question just because she is a woman," reads the open letter for tolerance.

They asked the public "how many times have you heard in the car that a clumsy driver must be a woman, for a woman who is lively in an argument that she is frustrated or does not have a satisfactory sex life, for a woman who is a victim of violence that she herself caused it with her words and actions, how many many times women are forced to understand what it means to be a lady and who and how they must be, how they must behave and dress in order to be taken seriously in life and work, that the husband is in charge of "pacifying" the wife".

"Everyone, including the signatories of this letter, at least once in their lives had one of these experiences or used some of these arguments themselves. We are not the only ones who are to blame for this, who use such behavior mechanisms or do not oppose them, but also impunity, as well as the legacy that arose from the patriarchal system of the world and thought, which basically encourages, encourages and ultimately does not punish this kind of behavior. And that's not all. It's not just the women on the wallpaper, but also all those who live differently, who they like differently, who have different preferences from the general social ones. In fear that everyone around us might think that homosexuality is a disease, we rarely start a story on that topic. The attitude that it is better for your child to be a drug addict than a fag, the desire for physical confrontation with people who are in a same-sex partnership, for their death, extermination is homophobia, and there is no dilemma," states the open letter for tolerance.

They add that journalist Damira Kalač is not an isolated case as a woman with a clear and vocal attitude, nor are all our friends who live in partnerships with people of the same sex.

"They have support, because an attack on them is an attack on everyone who inherits tolerance, the right to personal life and everything that is guaranteed not only by the Constitution of Montenegro and international conventions, but also by common sense. This is not a case of opposing opinions, because chauvinism , misogyny and homophobia cannot be a legitimate party in the public debate. This is a call for responsibility and the attitude of society towards violence, hatred and threats. It is time for our support to become public and loud, not only in the circle of friends and between our four walls." , says the open letter.

They add that it is time to hear Montenegro, which is most and directly affected by the model of violence, hatred and threats.

"I cannot win the battle against them alone - that's why you will find both men and women on this list, regardless of nation, political affiliation, religion, social status or any other categorization. We all want a society where intolerance on any basis not only that it is not socially acceptable, but it is also socially and certainly punishable in other ways. In a society where divisions too often rule, this brings us together. The desire to live in a country where we are not only proud of its natural, but also its human capacities. The desire to live a normal life life, all of us, regardless of our sex, gender or with whom we are in partnership. We owe so much not only to the children of this country, but also to ourselves, because in an intolerant society there is no quality life. Because in such a society there is no one left who will to push it forward. Because only a tolerant Montenegro can be the country of all its citizens," concludes the Open Letter for Tolerance.