04/24/2008
Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov Warns Against Gay May Day Gatherings
In response to word that gay groups planned demonstrations in Moscow on the occasion of the May Day (May 1) holiday, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov's representative Sergei Tsoi warned that any actions would be halted by the government.
Said Tsoi: "The council will act decisively and uncompromisingly to prevent attempts to hold such events because society is overwhelmingly opposed to the gay lifestyle and philosophy. It is a matter of surprise and indignation that gays plan to carry out unsanctioned gatherings in various parts of Moscow during the Festival of Peace and Work. There could be bloodshed and no one wants that."
Activist Nikolai Alexeyev said that gay groups plan to apply to hold five events every day throughout May, despite Luzhkov's warning and prior actions against demonstrators.
Said Alexeyev: "This is not a question of security. It is only a question of the personal hatred of the Moscow mayor towards gay people."
He also said the events would not be characerized by flamboyance or nudity: "If everyone sees that these people are not nude or wearing make-up... there will be many questions about why this event was banned."
Last year's gay rights rally in May turned violent and activists reported that Moscow police arrested not the ultra-nationalists and members of the ultra-Orthodox Russian church who began the violence but the gay rights demonstrators at which it was directed. They included Peter Tatchell,d Right Said Fred singer Richard Fairbrass, Italian MEP Marco Cappato, German MP Volker Beck, the leader of GayRussia, Nikolai Alexeyev, and dozens of other activists.
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 12:40 PM EST by Andy in Gay Rights, Moscow, News, Russia | Permalink
Comments
Now THOSE are some brave folks. I'm glad that we in the west are noticing their struggle. We ought to have their backs.
Posted by: The Milkman | Apr 24, 2008 1:07:19 PM
Sadly not brave. Stupid.
There is massive popular support - the 'democracy' the west so wants Russia to show - to re-criminalise homosexuality in Russia.
Russia is more like Middle East in this respect.
Lives of Russian gays made worse, not better, by an event even mainstream Moscow gays view as provocative, extremist and, ultimately, *not* in their best interests.
Acceptance of Ruskie gays will take decades - think 1950s-1990s USA; not ill-conceived tauting of State & security services.
Posted by: Red Exile | Apr 24, 2008 2:24:07 PM
Milkman:
The struggle with Russian homophobic thugs is in our very country. In our very back yard.
In Sacramento California a gay man was killed when a Russian emigre beat him to death after several hours of taunts at a park in broad daylight in Sacramento. The two groups of people the Russians and the group who the gay man was with (straights) were both "enjoying" a day in a local park when the incident occurred.
When asked later by police why they (there were two men charged in the death) attacked the gay man the Russians replied the gay man was to flamboyant and they did not like men acting like that in public.
Wait there's more.
The Russian thug who had beat and killed the gay and his accomplice were both released on bond. The Russian who was charged with the actual beating fled the country back to Russia!!!!!
His accomplice is awaiting trial. When asked why they attacked the gay man the Russians stated he was to flamboyant and they didn't like the gay man acting like that in public.
Sacramento is home to a large population of Russian immigrants. The Russian Orthodox Church leaders in that area
preach violence against gays in their services.
Worry about gays Russia-good. Worried about Russians here in America-definatly. NOT IN MY BACK YARD!!
Posted by: gaywest | Apr 24, 2008 2:55:12 PM
It's unfortunate that with all the appalling things going on in Moscow every day, Luzhkov and ignorant thugs with nothing better to do are worried about a gathering of gay people. It would be absurd if the potential for violence weren't so real. I'll actually be in Moscow on that day, but I'm not brave (or stupid, as the case may be) enough to put myself in the middle of it.
By the way, the Russians I know--a limited number, mind you--welcome my boyfriend and me here with grace and hospitality.
Posted by: Ernie | Apr 24, 2008 7:07:59 PM
The Russians I know are very pro-gay, though they started out quite ignorant on gay issues when communism fell. There are people who are obviously gay on Russian TV, and they are well-liked, though they don't say they are gay. Russians are not totally ignorant anymore on gay issues... they are evolving and I think these brave gay protesters will open eyes if they bravely persist, using Gandhi's tactics. If I had any money at all I would fly to Russia to join them in their May Day protests. Sergey Lazarev, one of the most popular singers & TV stars in Russia, spoke out against the anti-gay tactics of Moscow's leaders.
Posted by: Hephaestion | Apr 24, 2008 8:43:23 PM
Interestingly, the main Russian site, gay.ru, did not report at all on this or on Alexeev's radio interview with Ekho Moskvy, which anyone with slight liberal leanings listens to.
He is absolutely brilliant in his arguments, and he spoke eloquently for 25 minutes. They did a telephone poll, and 31% of those who called consider Luzhkov's ban to be illegal. That's one in three Russians. Luzhkov claims he has the support of 99.9% -- but of course he can claim anything he wants.
Alexeev says he is hoping the European Court forces Luzhkov's hand, as it did in Poland, where now gay prides are held legally with 5000 plus participants and little opposition.
Posted by: Kevinvt | Apr 25, 2008 5:21:57 AM
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