Russian Gay Activist Brutally Attacked in Front of Journalists After City Bans Pride Parade: VIDEO

Artem Kalinin, a gay activist in Syktyvkar, the capital city of the Komi Republic in Russia, was beaten by the leader of a neo-Nazi group while journalists watched this week, hours after the city announced it was banning a Pride parade planned for March 31, Pink News reports:

In front of journalists – who caught the attack on camera – Alex Kolegov beat Kalinin. This worsened when gay activist Kalinin called Kolegov a ‘Nazi.’ However, Kalinin is not deterred by the attack. “This incident will not change my decision” said Kalinin. “We are going to hold pride in spite of everything.”

He and several witnesses reported the attack and death threats, but the police made no arrest.

Nikolai Alekseev, co-founder of Moscow Pride and GayRussia, has condemned the attack:“This is another proof of full disregard of Russian authorities of the European Court verdict in the case of Moscow Prides by Russian authorities.”

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

DOMA Plaintiff Edie Windsor to Serve as Grand Marshal of NYC LGBT Pride March

NYC Pride announced today that DOMA plaintiff Edie Windsor, along with Harry Belafonte and Earl Fowlkes, will serve as Grand Marshals for the 44th annual NYC LGBT Pride March.

aid the organizers via press release:

Edith Windsor will be taking her fight against DOMA all the way to the Supreme Court after paying more than $360,000 in federal estate taxes upon the death of her partner of 44 years. Harry Belafonte has been a longtime advocate for civil rights and universal equality on a global scale. Earl Fowlkes serves as the President/CEO of the Center for Black Equity, whose mission is to fight for health, social and economic equity in the Black LGBT community.

“We believe this year will be historic. LGBT rights are expanding across the country and these individuals embody the soul of a movement far from over. They are tirelessly fighting for all of us. They are the great waves in a sea of hope: Edith's never-ending battle for marriage equality, Harry's unending fight for human rights, Earl’s focused leadership and selfless spirit. So with great pride, we congratulate them and honor them for their unwavering dedication to the idea of a more just and verdant future for all peoples,” said Chris Frederick, Managing Director of NYC Pride.

For more on this year's NYC Pride, visit their official site. This year's March takes place on June 30.

Boxer Orlando Cruz Wins 2nd Match Since Coming Out While Wearing Rainbow Kilt as Sign of Gay Pride

Professional boxer Orlando Cruz, who came out of the closet last October, last night won his second match since coming out against Aaron "The Bomber" Martinez in a 6th round TKO, and did so in a rainbow kilt, Blabbeando reports:

He dedicated the fight to a number of people including his trainers and he almost couldn't contain his emotions as he thanked his grandmother who passed away last year. He also thanked the LGBT community for their support. 

During the fight he wore a multicolor boxing kilt with Puerto Rican flags on both sides. One of the flags was red, white and blue, the other flag's stripes reflected the color of the rainbow as a sign of gay pride.

More at Blabbeando...

L.A. Police Chief Turns Down 'Gay Pride' Invite in 1975 Letter, Says He'd Gladly Celebrate 'Gay Conversion Week'

Saw this letter floating around on social media over the weekend. A lot has changed in 38 years. Though not everywhere.

Writes Police Chief E.M. Davis:

As you no doubt expected, I am declining your invitation to participate in the celebration of "GAY PRIDE WEEK." While I support your organization's constitutional right to express your feelings on the subject of homosexuality, I am obviously not in sympathy with your views on the subject. I would much rather celebrate "GAY CONVERSION WEEK" which I will gladly sponsor when the medical practitioners in this country find a way to convert gays to heterosexuals."

(via david mixner)

Gay Rights Activists Celebrate Pride In New Delhi

For the fifth year in a row, LGBT activists in New Delhi held a gay pride march to counter homophobia in a country where colonial-era homophobia runs deep.

Though the crowd of hundreds was relatively small when compared to other prides around the world, the song remained the same: any society that claims to be modern must embrace its LGBT citizens.

Dozens of demonstrators carried a nearly 15-meter- (50-foot-) long, rainbow-colored banner and waved placards demanding that the government extend the scope of anti-discrimination laws to schools, workplaces and public and private spaces.

...

"Queer and loving it" and "Give us your support" read some of the placards carried by the activists as they marched to the rhythmic beat of traditional drums and music. Other supporters distributed badges and rainbow-colored flags and scarves.

The slow rate of acceptance of LGBT people among Indians could be seen in the masks worn by some participants, but one organizer told IBN that this year's event drew more people than previous events.

Lesbian Couple Says Two Men Attacked Them in Hate Crime Over Gay Pride Weekend: VIDEO

A lesbian couple says they were attacked by a couple of men during Atlanta Pride over the weekend, FOX5 reports:

Kathryn Katalinich and Brooke Creef tell FOX 5 News that the attack was disturbing by its very nature and its timing.

They say that two men targeted the couple early Saturday outside a popular Atlanta hotel because of their sexual orientation. They said the men grabbed and pushed them to the ground. The men ran after the couple say they started to scream for help.

They are hoping surveillance video from the hotel will help investigators find the two men.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...