05/19/2008
Activist Stages Picket, Calls for Prosecution of Moscow Mayor
Activist Nikolai Alekseev staged a one-man picket of Moscow's General Prosecutor on Saturday, calling for the prosecution of Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov for the illegal banning of gay pride activities. Authorities prevented a group picket of the office, saying there was a security threat, so Alekseev went it alone.
Gay Russia reports: "There was no interference from the watching police as he displayed a placard reading saying 'No one repealed Article 149 of the Criminal Code. Mayor Luzhkov’s homophobia should be prosecuted'. Originally, plans were to have a ten-person picket. But the Prefecture of the Central Area of Moscow banned the event for 'security reasons'. The letter from the Prefecture said that the aim of the planned event 'provokes negative reactions of society and the conduct of the event can lead to group violations of public order which creates threats to the security of the participants'. However, not a single protestor against the picket came to the office of General Prosecution yesterday, which, say gay activists, proves that Moscow authorities did not evaluate the threats properly. 'The General Prosecution office is obliged to conduct an investigation on our request and give us a motivated reply,' Mr. Alekseev said last night. 'If the criminal case is not started, we will appeal the decision to courts.'"
Alexseev and other say they will hold gay pride activities at the end of May, even if they are once again banned by the mayor's office.
PReviously
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Posted 11:25 AM EST by Andy Towle in Gay Pride, Gay Rights, Moscow, News, Russia | Permalink
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What a brave man....
Posted by: PDX Guy | May 19, 2008 11:36:43 AM
As the Rentboy.com float loudly passes me by during this year's Gay Pride Parade in all its commercial glory, I will think of Nikolai Alekseev and what gay pride truly is.
Posted by: John in Manhattan | May 19, 2008 11:41:59 AM
Balls of steel. What a courageous man and example for all of us.
Posted by: rudy | May 19, 2008 11:43:30 AM
Courage, baby...real courage and gay.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | May 19, 2008 11:44:13 AM
Amazing. I bow to the greater man. I wish there was some way to get messages of support to him and his compatriots.
Posted by: Turtle | May 19, 2008 12:28:11 PM
This man has my deep respect and admiration.
This level of courage, determination and conviction is incredibly rare in the world today.
I've been working almost full time over the last two months to defeat the anti-family marriage amendment in Florida. At least half the gay people I talk to are unaware that there is going to be an amendment on the ballot in November and more than half don't know what the scope of the amendment entail or the consequences that will result if it passes. It is astonishing to me that SO MANY gay people in this country are SO unconcerned about their health and welfare and so uninvolved in the fight/struggle/work required to improve the world for themselves and other GLBT people.
Then I see this man taking such risks in such a hostile environment and it really hits home that western gays have become comfortable with second class. It seems that we as a community don't feel that we are worthy or, or have a right to expect equal rights and equal respect. As long as they aren't killing us or throwing us in prison all is well.
I honestly believe that if we, as a community, could get just 50% of us giving just 25% effort we could turn this country around in very short order.
Step one? Take the NEXT step in coming out, whatever that next step may be. Coming out and living life as a responsible, openly GLBT citizen is the most powerful and effective actigon a person can take to promote GLBT rights and acceptance and even though that can be a daunting and frightening proposition it's not quite as daunting as taking on the Russian Orthodox Church, the Kremlin and violent, radical nationalist skinheads almost single handedly while the police stand by and watch.
Nikolai Alekseev is an international GLBT hero.
Posted by: Zeke | May 19, 2008 12:46:15 PM
I wish they would report stories like this in the national media. It bothers me worthy stories like this get looked over all too often. Gays have a long way to go in terms of equality in America, but comparatively we often forget how bad LGBT people have it in other countries around the world.
Posted by: Matt | May 19, 2008 1:53:59 PM
Once again: he's brilliant and very good at exploiting the legal system and getting international press coverage.
It would be nice if he could get more Russians behind him, but most have decided that he is only interested in an international audience (with the support that comes with that).
There were several actions on 17 May for the International Day against Homophobia: a small group marched in Moscow with rainbow flags (from gayrussia, Alexeev's group), others pasted up anti-homophobic posters (LGBTrights.ru, another group). There was a sanctioned march in central Kiev, Ukraine, as well. Some anarcho-queers (their term) also dressed some famous male statues in Kiev in female drag! Photos here: http://news.zaraz.org/?n=951
Posted by: kevinvt | May 19, 2008 2:31:47 PM
I obviously support the man and respect his courage---but am decidedly against dressing in drag well-known art. That's basically as effective as when ACT-UP interrupted Mass in NY in the 1980s and threw down holy water. Don't get me wrong--I think religion is absurd, but pissing on it doesn't generate much sympathy.
Posted by: Paul R | May 20, 2008 3:28:22 AM