An effigy of a LGBTI children’s book being burnt in Croatia. | Photo: Facebook via Random Toni
Donations to a crowdfunding campaign to produce a LGBTI children’s book soared after homophobes burnt its replica in an effigy.
Rainbow Families Croatia created the book My Rainbow Family, whose original print run of 500 was snapped up within days.
The book tells the story of Ana and Roko who both have same-sex parents. It was made to spread awareness of LGBTI families in the majority Catholic Croatia.
My Rainbow Family. | Photo: Rainbow Families Croatia
Religious groups denounced the book and on 4 February organizers of an annual carnival burnt it in effigy.
They burnt the replica on the coastal town of Kastela near the tourist destination, Split.
Organizers paraded the replica down the main street in a horse drawn carriage. Then they burnt the effigy on a nearby beach while hundreds looked on.
Donations pour in
LGBTI rights groups filed a criminal complaint against the carnival organizers saying it was a ‘public incitement to violence and hatred’, according to New Now Next.
Croatia’s Education Minister, Blazenka Divjak, condemned the action.
‘The burning of books and discrimination are unacceptable,’ she said in a statement.
‘We can agree or disagree on some topics in the public sphere, but the messages that we send to our children must contribute to building an open and tolerant society.’
Donations to Rainbow Families Croatia to make more books poured in after the effigy burning.
The crowdfunding campaign to print more copies of My Rainbow Family got almost $10,000 in donations, 332% more than original target of $3,000.
Rainbow Families Croatia said it planned to expand the range of books it published with the money donated.
‘We believe that we are contributing to the creation of a society in which the respect of diversity and the acceptance of all families is learned from a young age,’ said Rainbow Families Croatia’s Daniel Martinovic.
‘The vision of our association is a society that respects, embraces and celebrates all families and this publishing venture is just one of the activities that we are doing to achieve that vision.’
Croatia ranked 11th on the Rainbow Europe Map, which ranks European countries on how they fare on LGBTI rights.
[embedded content]
