June the 8th, 2026 – Supporters and protesters of Zagreb Pride, which marked its 25th anniversary yesterday, faced off in the city centre.
Thousands of people took part in the 25th Zagreb Pride march this past weekend, marking a milestone for Croatia’s LGBTQ+ community as participants, politicians, activists, and supporters gathered in the capital for one of the country’s most visible annual human rights events.
Held under the slogan “Step by Step, a Step Forward”, Index reports that this year’s march highlighted calls for continued protection of LGBTQ+ rights and concerns about what organisers describe as growing anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-gender movements across parts of Europe and beyond. Participants carried rainbow flags and banners through central Zagreb before concluding with a public gathering and cultural programme.
Among those taking part were Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević and Deputy Mayor Luka Korlaet, reflecting the event’s growing acceptance within Croatia’s political mainstream. Also present was Nevenka Lastrić-Đurić, State Secretary at the Ministry of the Interior, who said Croatia had made significant progress in protecting LGBTQ+ rights since the first Pride march was held in 2002.
But the event also highlighted the divisions that continue to exist within Croatian society.
As the march approached the city’s main square, a small group led by Dražen Keleminec gathered to protest the event. According to reports from the scene, members of the group carried nationalist symbols and exchanged chants with Pride participants, while police maintained a separation between the two sides. No major incidents were reported.
The contrast served as a reminder of how far Croatia has come since its first Pride march more than two decades ago. Early events were marked by heavy security concerns and widespread public opposition. Today’s Pride attracts thousands of participants and is attended by senior political figures, although debates surrounding LGBTQ+ rights continue to generate strong reactions from both supporters and opponents.
For many participants, the anniversary was not only a celebration but also an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing struggle for equality and inclusion. Organisers stressed that rights achieved over the past 25 years should not be taken for granted and argued that continued engagement remains necessary to ensure progress is maintained.
Twenty-five years after Croatia’s very first (and very controversial at the time) Pride event, the annual march remains both a celebration of change and a reminder that conversations about equality, identity, and social acceptance continue to shape public life in modern Croatia.
