Vjeran Miladinović (1 October 1958 - 22 February 2003), also known as Merlinka, was a transgender sex worker and actress best known for the 1995 film Marble Ass, directed by Želimir Žilnik. Merlika identified as both gay and a crossdresser,[1] and is believed to have been the first openly trans person in the Balkans.[2][3]
Merlinka | |
|---|---|
| Born | Vjeran Miladinović 1 October 1958 |
| Died | February 22, 2003 (aged 44) Belgrade, Serbia |
| Occupation | Actor |
Life
editMerlinka was born in Zagreb and during her childhood lived in an orphanage, was homeless, and lived with distant family. After high school, she came to live in Belgrade.[2]
In 1986, Merlinka participated in a public debate about homosexuality at the Belgrade Youth Center, one of the first such public debates on the subject in the region.[1] In the 1990s, she took part in Arkadija events.[4]
Merlinka had the leading[5] role in the 1995 movie Marble Ass directed by Želimir Žilnik.
Merlinka published an autobiography in 2001, named Teresa's son.[6][7] The title of the book references Merlinka's mother, Tereza Strmečki.[8]
Merlinka was murdered in Belgrade during the night of 22 March 2003, at the age of 43.[6] Her body was found a month later.[7] A suspect was arrested for her murder, but was later freed of charges.[7]
Legacy
editIn 2009, the Gay Lesbian Info Centre and Belgrade Youth Center founded the International Queer Film Festival Merlinka, named in Merlinka's honor.[6] In March 2013, the tenth anniversary of her death, the festival held a special program about Merlinka's life.[7]
In July 2013, a plaque honoring Merlinka was put up anonymously in Belgrade.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b Bilić, Bojan; Milanović, Aleksa; Nord, Iwo (2022-09-21). Transgender in the Post-Yugoslav Space: Lives, Activisms, Culture. Policy Press. pp. xi. ISBN 978-1-4473-6761-1.
- ^ a b https://en.vijesti.me/BBC/576690/who-was-the-first-trans-person-in-the-Balkans-public
- ^ Marble Ass, Yugoslavia’s first openly queer film, turns 25. Here’s why you need to watch it — New East Digital Archive (new-east-archive.org)
- ^ Bilić, Bojan (2020-02-13). Trauma, Violence, and Lesbian Agency in Croatia and Serbia: Building Better Times. Springer Nature. p. 89. ISBN 978-3-030-22960-3.
- ^ Transgender in the Post-Yugoslav Space : Lives, Activisms, Culture, edited by Bojan Bili, et al
- ^ a b c "Deset godina od ubistva Merlinke". B92.net (in Serbian). 2013-03-21. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
- ^ a b c d e "Unknown Belgraders Honour Murdered Queer Star". Balkan Insight. 2013-07-26.
- ^ "Interviews".