I am Matija Stefanović (27), originally from Valjevo. I live in Belgrade, where I am finishing studies in Serbian Literature and Language. A few years ago, I paused my studies because, after coming out as a transgender man, I hesitated to return to my department, fearing judgment from those around me. It was only last year that I found the courage to resume my education. The experience of dropping out of school is something I share with many LGBTIQ+ people in Serbia. In the meantime, I worked at the Pride Info Center and began my medical transition, which I documented on YouTube and TikTok. This led to media invitations to speak publicly about transgender issues, which further directed me toward activism. I later joined the organization Da se zna!, where I currently work as a communications coordinator and lead several projects. I consider myself successful in activism when a queer person reaches out to me and says “it meant a lot to see someone like them on television,” that they showed my story to their mother, or when they ask me how to start their transition or seek help due to the homo- or transphobia they experience. At Da se zna!, we have recognized that there is a gap within the queer community in Serbia and that we need to work on bridging it. My project is focused on stepping out of our narrow and comfortable activist and progressive circles and reaching smaller towns, where queer people also live—people with whom we often struggle to connect with and who do not always see LGBTIQ+ activists as working in their interest. Our mission is to be there for every queer person in this country.
