07/25/2006
Anti-gay Violence Erupts in Latvia
The Latvia gay pride march was banned by Latvian authorities over the weekend on "security grounds" based on threats of violence if the march took place, yet that didn't stop Christian fundamentalists, neo-Nazis, and ultra-nationalists from trailing gays and lesbians elsewhere in the city.
At several events scheduled to take place in Riga—a Pride rally at the Reval Hotel, a press conference, and a church service—participants were pelted with eggs, excrement, and rotten fruit as they arrived and departed, with thugs trailing them in vehicles.
The picture was much the same last year, when the parade actually did take place, and one participant painted a vivid picture: "There were so many attacks, people were throwing eggs, people were using gaz [sic], they were trying to block the march. It was extremely, extremely homophobic. I don’t think anybody in Europe saw anything like that."
Pictured here are this year's anti-gay protestors outside the Reval Hotel. As pretty on the outside as they are on the inside.
UK activist Peter Tatchell witnessed the events first-hand: "The Riga Pride rally in the Reval Hotel was under siege all day by protesters from the anti-gay “No Pride” movement – a highly organised alliance of Christian fundamentalists, ultra-nationalists and neo-Nazis. They roamed the streets outside the hotel, looking for gays and lesbians to attack. Anyone who looked gay was liable to abuse and assault, even passing tourists. The police seemed to stand back and let them to terrorise people with impunity."
Latvian authorities have been criticized across the board. According to Pink News, city authorities called the gay pride march "the ‘biggest security risk’ to the country since Latvia won its independence from the Soviet Union." They claim they do not have the capability to handle the security threats, yet other high-profile events in the city tell a different story:
"This explanation does not stand up. Latvia was able to guarantee security for President Bush’s visit. It is guaranteeing security for the Queen’s forthcoming state visit and for the NATO summit later this year. If Latvia can provide security for these high-risk events, then it is nonsense to suggest the police cannot protect 200 gay pride marchers."
According to the Baltic Times, a total of 14 people have been arrested in connection with the violence that took place over the weekend. Criminal charges are being sought against one of those arrested, while 13 others will face administrative charges.
Gay and lesbian organizations are planning to take their fight against Riga City Council to the European Court of Human Rights if necessary. They certainly aren't receiving any help from the Latvian government: "The interior minister said he was concerned that the police received the strongest criticism after the anti-gay incidents. In his opinion, officers did a good job."
Latvia Fails Democracy Test After Gay Rights Violence [pink news]
Gay bashers arrested after parade attack [baltic times]
Our coverage of last year's event...
"I am safe. I am at home now." [tr]
Posted 10:15 AM EST by Andy Towle in Crime, Gay Rights, Latvia, Religion | Permalink
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Latvia, how sad, and not a one of them has even got lats. trajic.
Posted by: Crixi Van Cheek | Jul 25, 2006 10:17:51 AM
Now THAT's what I call 'Gay Pride'. I wonder how many of us would turn up to our local Pride events if we knew we faced THAT kind of opposition.
Congrats to everyone who did!
Posted by: NewChad | Jul 25, 2006 10:45:13 AM
Time to see what the E.U. is really made of. If they can't push a third-rate shitbox like Latvia into line, methinks not much.
Posted by: nuflux | Jul 25, 2006 10:50:16 AM
I agree, NUFLUX and NEWCHAD. That is what we call a RALLY. Nary a go-go boy in sight.
Posted by: Rad | Jul 25, 2006 10:56:25 AM
Though many of you would consider me a homophobe for not supporting extra rights for gays or supporting gay marriage, I have to say that what is happeneing in latvia is all wrong...
Posted by: King Neal | Jul 25, 2006 11:02:10 AM
Man, that guy in the middle of the first photo simply personifies the word "hate" doesn't he?
Posted by: Michael W. | Jul 25, 2006 11:06:29 AM
Someone should tell that guy in the first picture that if he keeps making that face it's likely to stay that way...
Posted by: Brian | Jul 25, 2006 11:41:47 AM
How much impact can a law enforcment agency have when they spell police with a "J" ?
Posted by: M | Jul 25, 2006 11:56:15 AM
The face on the one guy in the middle says everything we need to know about how our opposition feels about us.
That is a frightening look.
Posted by: Swede And Czech | Jul 25, 2006 12:24:42 PM
It is a face of hate and butt ugly as well. He has never been laid and is pissed that some gay men are.
Posted by: patrick nyc | Jul 25, 2006 12:32:26 PM
In his defense, perhaps he was unfairly captured by a passing photographer, caught in one of those embarassing moments...when the yawning-stretch and the sneeze violently collide.
Posted by: GBM | Jul 25, 2006 12:54:55 PM
"In his defense'? GBN you should get a clue.
Posted by: patrick nyc | Jul 25, 2006 1:10:26 PM
Yeah, I don't understand how someone can have such unyieldingly strong opinions on what someone else does in the bedroom. Really, I can't fathom it.
Posted by: Michael W. | Jul 25, 2006 1:18:24 PM
Well said Michael W.
Posted by: patrick nyc | Jul 25, 2006 1:32:20 PM
Cheers, Patrick!
Posted by: Michael W. | Jul 25, 2006 1:34:23 PM
Ha, Patrick you thilly gooth, I was joking.
Posted by: GBM | Jul 25, 2006 1:41:35 PM
GBM
You should be more wise with your words sir, they are taken as truth by many, no need to feed the ignorant.
Posted by: patrick nyc | Jul 25, 2006 2:04:05 PM
I hear you Patrick, but my words were really much too silly to be taken as a viable possibility. A sneeze-yawn? I doubt that will make the rounds of conservative blogs on the defensive.
Posted by: GBM | Jul 25, 2006 2:09:10 PM
GBM,
I've been through this before, but you handle yourself much better than I do. For a while I actually began to choose my words more carefully, proof read, and fuckin' edit, but I knew it wasn't gonna'last. You can't keep a good queen down.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Jul 25, 2006 2:35:23 PM
And Derrick from philly respondes. As I've said, people read this shit, GBM your words are read, silly as you say or not, they are interpeted as truth by the less fortunate.
Posted by: patrick nyc | Jul 25, 2006 2:49:16 PM
Philly represent : )
Posted by: GBM | Jul 25, 2006 3:04:58 PM
People forget that Europe has always been a very bigoted society. In the east, Poland and other countries collaborated with the Nazis to persecute and murder many Jews and other minorities. The Soviet empire crunched down on all a lot ethnic chauvinism but once the lid was off...xenophobia and ultranationalism started spill out.
Poland, Latvia, etc., etc. these people actually believe that they are shit. Why? What makes them so much greater than everyone else? Answer: they aren't but pretending to be superior makes them feel better.
Posted by: noah | Jul 25, 2006 4:41:03 PM
KingNeal,
I would be interested in hearing about these "extra rights" to which you refer. Though I appreciate the fact (really I do) that you feel that attacking gay's violently and covering them in feces is a bit over the line, forgive me if I'm not impressed with you sentiment.
As far as the message and display of the protestors goes; does anyone find it a bit ironic that those who claim to be offended that children will be exposed to homosexuality are wearing shirts, in full public view and with full media coverage, with a picture of one stickman (with fully illustrated genitalia included) f*cking another stickman in the ass?
I’m always amazed by the thinking processes of those who seem to have very little experience with thinking.
Posted by: Zeke | Jul 25, 2006 5:14:42 PM
Though many of you would consider me a homophobe for not supporting extra rights for gays or supporting gay marriage, I have to say that what is happeneing in latvia is all wrong...
Well, Kind Neal, although I'm glad you think that what happened in Latvia is wrong, I think you clearly don't understand something here - gays are fighting for EQUAL rights, not extra rights!!! And gays deserve the exact same rights as straights because homosexuality is not a choice and not a lifestyle like you might think. Homosexuals are born homosexual just like heteros are born hetero. I know you disagree, but I think banning gays from marriage is just as ridiculous as banning blue eyed people from marriage. And gay marriage is a good thing. It's good for both gays and straights!
Posted by: nina | Jul 25, 2006 11:48:44 PM
Latvia is offended. There is no hate towards gays. Just Russians.
Posted by: Latvia4ever. | Apr 1, 2007 10:32:56 PM