Vladimir Putin Says Russia Does Not Discriminate Against Gays

Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared in a press conference in Amsterdam on Monday and said that his country does not discriminate against gay people, Reuters reports:

"In the Russian Federation - so that it is clear to everybody - there is no infringement on the rights of sexual minorities. These people...enjoy all the same rights and freedoms as everyone else."

Tell that to Artem Kalinin:

Or this guy:

Or the protestors who got attacked by these people:

Or these activists with egg on their faces:

Or these demonstrators arrested last December:

Or the people attacked by men in masks on "coming out day":

In January, the Russian Duma passed a ban on gay "propaganda" in a 390-1 vote on its first reading:

But no, gays enjoy the same freedoms as everyone else, according to Putin.

And make sure not to miss my earlier post.

Drag Queen Sings Amazing Protest Anthem Against Russian President Vladimir Putin in Amsterdam: VIDEO

Drag queen Dolly Bellefleur had a massive crowd cheering in Amsterdam with a rollicking anthem about Russia's oppression of LGBT people during a protest yesterday timed to coincide with President Vladimir Putin's visit to the city.

Check it out, AFTER THE JUMP...

Some of the lyrics:

There lives an evil man in Russia nowadays
He supports a law against lesbians and gays
Most people look at him with terror and with fear
Cause he pulls the strings like a wicked puppeteer
It's distressing how he is suppressing homosexuality
In the name of love we are protesting: Set our sisters free.
Stop stop stop Putin - Drop your law at the Kremlin - Love is no crime it's not a disease
Stop stop stop Putin - Your plans are so poisoning - For all the Russian LGBTs.

More Than 3,000 Signed Up for Gay Protest of Putin in Amsterdam as Rainbow Flags Fly at Half Mast

(daniel meis twitter)

Rainbow flags, some at half mast, have been strategically placed across Amsterdam to mark Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit on Monday, AFP reports:

More than 3,300 people have signed up for the COC demonstration against the anti-gay law during President Putin's visit to Amsterdam," COC, the world's oldest gay rights group, said in a statement.

Protesters are targeting a bill before the Russian parliament that bans homosexual "propaganda" among minors. Rights activists and Western governments have condemned the measure, which provides for fines of up to 500,000 roubles (12,500 euros, $15,830) for any "public act" promoting homosexuality or paedophilia.

Putin's visit is centred on trade talks with major partner the Netherlands. He will also attend the opening of an exhibition on Dutch-Russian history at Amsterdam's Hermitage Museum. The main protest is to be staged outside the Maritime History Museum where Putin will be dining with Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Monday evening.

Putin arrives from Germany, where there were also protests.

Dan Choi Reports on His Participation in the First Sanctioned Military Contingent in Amsterdam Gay Pride Canal Parade

BY LT DAN CHOI

This weekend, in front of half a million Dutch families and revelers, the Amsterdam Gay Pride parade showcased a truly historic statement: 85 gay (including 2 transgender) servicemembers in full dress uniform with Dutch Defense Ministry officials in the first ever sanctioned military gay pride contingent. Three active duty gay generals were with us on the uber-gay float. We were literally floating, too: the canals that line the city of Amsterdam, built in the 17th century, were our parade route. Lots of saluting, lots of cheering, lots of dancing... lots of "IN THE NAVY" blasted over and over and over again.

Watch video of the float, AFTER THE JUMP...

British Lieutenant Commander Mandy MacBain, Chief Diversity and Inclusion officer for the Royal Naval Service joined me in officially opening "Canal Pride 2011" with an appropriate theme: "All Together Now."  In spirit of cooperation we held the scissors together while cutting the pink boa held by leaders of PRO-GAY, the group organizing the parade. Her partner Joanna joined us on the boat, and the three of us comprised the foreign contingent. They set up flags for us near the back of the boat but by the time the parade kicked off, the soldiers pushed us to the front, to stand with their generals. This was quite an unexpected honor. (Photo: Ribbon cutting with (L-R) Dutch LTC Sandra Keijer, British LCDR MacBain, PRO-GAY Chair Irene Hemelaar) credit: PinkPaper.com)

The spirit of solidarity and inclusion was palpable, as the day prior, dozens of gay police officers from INTERPOL countries joined the Dutch LGBT Military Foundation (SHX: Stichting Homosexualiteit & Kriejgsmacht) in a tour including notable sites such as the city zoo, Rembrandt's tomb, and the world renowned "red light district." At the reception afterwards, Dutch Education and Cultural Ministry officials noted the historic nature of this pride parade, and I offered brief remarks about the Stonewall Riots and the success of community police liaisons in our shared duty to protect and serve. The irony was well received, that the only American representative in our group should invoke a violent uprising at a time when LGBT-Police relations were not strong, to put it mildly. On a personal level, the laughter allowed me to exhale a bit, knowing that these police officers were generally supportive of the confrontational activism that has always pushed American LGBT issues forward. (Photo: INTERPOL officers reception, credit: Gerard Rijkers, SHX)

I was surprised to hear reports on the progress of LGBT-Police relations all around Europe, particularly as reported hate-crimes have doubled in gay-friendly Amsterdam. Some point the finger at Muslim refugees while others laud the confidence LGBT Dutch have to report assaults and harassment. Either way, our work must focus on eradicating the source of bigotry while bridging gaps between oppressed communities. Returning violence for violence will solve nothing in our common struggle for justice.

It was also very enlightening to find there were 4 chaplains celebrating Pride with us, although they did not refer to their branch as The Chaplaincy. Calling themselves Moral Counselors, the Dutch military focuses more on the wartime need of soldiers to meet with a kind ear and warm heart in moments of despair. They still recognize denominations, but the Humanist variety was new to me. Indeed, when the majority of religious denominations expel and stigmatize their LGBT congregants, the state must find a way to provide equal dignity and counseling for those who would never return to a chapel. Especially if the chaplains are allowed to denounce minorities by way of religious protections, as they will in the US even after Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal. 

My presence at the festivities was poignant to many in The Netherlands who followed the Don't Ask Don't Tell debate closely this past year. One activist American general in particular drew the ire and ridicule of many when he contended last year before the US Senate that openly gay Dutch soldiers caused the massacre at Srebrenica (Kosovo). I am happy that our presence could serve as some repudiation of some American individuals who happily stir international uproar to satisfy their own selfish political motives. His bogus testimony and our first White House arrests were highlighted in the same news story along with the legacy of Technical Sergeant Leonard Matlovich on Dutch national TV. 

In my off time, I spoke at a meeting of the "Democrats Abroad" and met the Ambassador and some expatriates. Not surprisingly, many of these American-Dutch are gay and eagerly await immigration equality legislation and presidential action. While they live abroad, their influence does not end at the border or the absentee ballot: the perspective they provide Americans struggling for equality is critical. I learned that even I am complacent and too eager to celebrate partial equality as if it were the real thing. Seeing America from abroad usually makes us grateful to be American; it was certainly the feeling I got when returning home from Russia earlier this summer. But coming home from Amsterdam made the reality bitter: we have a long way to go before we can truly celebrate like the Dutch. The Democrats event was topped off with a Barack Obama birthday cake, topped with a dramatic Obama figurine. When I saw it I told myself "This has to be a practical joke." Well, I broke two gay activist rules: early celebration and dessert. I tried to resist, but my new friends decreed "let him eat cake."

While the weekend was a well-needed break for me, I also learned that the Dutch, even with their advances that put America to shame, are not satisfied with their equality struggle. Pink and Purple buttons carrying the new platforms: Gay History Education in Schools, and Everyone Officiate Gay Marriages (including religious bigots). The two slogans were prominently displayed on just about every bridge and in the sky-messaging carried by four "Pride airplanes." The Amsterdam Mayor and Justice Minister reminded me that they are not happy with political speeches alone, and their work reflects a true desire for justice. As their national government was unveiling a first-of-its-kind coalition platform for LGBT Equality with full cooperation from every ministry and government sector, I knew they were putting their money where their mouth was. The budgets for every state project and government ministry took a cut this year: all except one. The LGBT education project, intended to help international progress on LGBT equality actually received a budget increase. I know we can expect great things from this country for years to come.

Overall, I did not expect the kind of welcome we received. For whatever reason, I'm always looking for the one opponent in the crowd nowadays. Only one was visible, flipping us the middle finger from his stoop. It wasn't that we was anti-gay though. He carried a peace flag and shouted something about war, according to the soldiers I asked. Among the hundreds of thousands, not bad to have only one detractor. I suppose it is safe then to say this country loves its soldiers and its gays.  [Photos: Dutch National Paper 8/5, Amsterdam Pride credit: AP]

Watch a video of the float Choi rode on, AFTER THE JUMP...

News: Hiroshima, Gay Jurors, Jason Bateman, Ames Straw Poll

As Japan and the world mark the 66th anniversary of the Hiroshima A-Bomb, and in the wake of the Fukushima disaster, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said he would work toward ending nuclear power in his nation: "I will reduce Japan's reliance on nuclear power, aiming at creating a society that will not rely on atomic power generation."

Uniformed members of the Dutch Army, in which gays and lesbians have been serving openly since 1974, were finally allowed to march in Amsterdam's Gay Pride festival.

Elsewhere in gay pride news, police say about 35,000-50,000 people showed up for the annual event in Stockholm.

The fight for gay jurors: "Trial lawyers should be barred from dismissing potential jurors because of their sexual orientation, defense attorneys argued Thursday in a case that, if successful, could extend constitutional protection from discrimination to homosexuality along with race, creed and gender."

China's state media blasts United States for credit downgrade and overall economic nightmare, saying U.S. must "come to terms with the painful fact that the good old days when it could just borrow its way out of messes of its own making are finally gone."

Say so long to Wisteria Lane; ABC axing Desperate Housewives after season eight.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes dominates Friday box office with $19 million, while new comedy The Change Up crept to fourth place with $4.6 million.

In related news, Jason Bateman, co-star of The Change Up, was on NPR's Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me to talk about Tarzan star Cheeta and the upcoming Arrested Development movie -- yes, it's coming -- and the classic movie Teen Wolf Too.

CJ de Mooi, a British television personality and president of the English Chess Federation, says he was barred from presenting awards at a chess tournament because he was wearing a t-shirt with the equality message, "Some People Are Gay, Get Over It." "An arbiter approached me saying she had 'personal reservations' about me wearing a Stonewall t-shirt when presenting prizes to juniors. It was apparently inappropriate for me to wear something mentioning 'sexuality' in such an environment," de Mooi wrote in a statement.

The gay population in Washington State has grown 50 percent over the past ten years, and those couples are itching for equality.

Thirty-one American soldiers, more than 20 from the elite SEALTeam 6, and 7 Afghan security officials killed in Afghanistan helicopter attack.

Filmmaker and photographer Jim Goldberg focuses on singer Robyn, giving fans "an unrestricted view of the sincere ambition behind her career" through a Super 8 lens.

The Missouri Research & Education Network, which supplies computer software to the Show Me State's school system, will no longer censor non-sexual LGBT sites after receiving complaints from the ACLU and the Freedom to Read Foundation: "The groups told MOREnet it was illegally censoring LGBT-related websites through its software while allowing access to websites that condemn homosexuality or oppose LGBT legal protections.

Pro-civil unions Republican presidential candidate Gary Johnson won't participate in symbolically important Ames Straw Poll. From his campaign's statement: "We simply cannot and will not buy into an event that has been granted far more status in the nomination process than it should have."

Lady Gaga's male drag persona, Jo Calderone, makes an appearance for cover of new single, "You and I."

Finally, full length picture of Anne Hathaway as Catwoman. Thoughts on the goggles?

Meanwhile, the first picture of Rihanna for the upcoming Battleship movie just came out, and she has a big gun.

About 4,600 Nevada households are led by two women, and an estimated 4,724 are run by two men, an 87% total increase since 2000.

News: Isiah Thomas, Uganda, K-2, Marriage, Elena Kagan

Rumor has it that we might soon see a new album from Britney Spears.

Isiah Thomas poses for the NOH8 campaign with his son. 

The first so-called "Jewish boat" participates in Amsterdam's pride parade, which featured about 80 other boats and a whopping total of 500,000 supporters.

A shirtless Joe Biden on a beach in the Hamptons.

Doctor who is researching to prevent homosexuality dodges a question about her experiments.

Gay activists: "Uganda's 'Anti-Homosexuality Bill,' which raised a worldwide uproar over its death penalty for gay sex, has stalled in parliamentary committee and it is unlikely to be passed in the current session."

Tori Spelling looks surprisingly plain without any make-up.

Tragedy on K-2: "Swedish climber and skier Fredrik Ericsson has fallen to his death on K-2 while trying to conquer the world's second highest peak."

You and I are a lot more like a SpongeBob Squarepants than you thought.

Gay sons for all mothers!

Suicides in the LGBT community are on the rise.

Elena Kagan was sworn in by Chief Justice Roberts today. While she'll be able to take on her justice duties immediately, she won't be installed as a Justice until October 1. 

Possible explanation as to why the GOP isn't being as vocal about same-sex marriage as they have in the past: "'Every indicator that I have ... generally speaking, is that economic growth and job creation are the tandem issues that will be the principal drivers of voter decision at polls,' Republican National Committee political director Gentry Collins told reporters Thursday. 'What I’m encouraging candidates to do is go out and run on an economic platform, a jobs platform.'"

Workshop organized by gay priest in California attempts to bring the church and the LGBT community together.

Channing Tatum does good by supporting a brain cancer charity.