A gay bar in Moscow was the site of a vicious attack on Thursday, when 20 masked nationalists barged in and threatened patrons with guns and broken bottles.
Three women were critically wounded in the attack on 7 Free Days in Central Moscow, while 10 more suffered various injuries.
A crowd of almost 80 people had come to the bar to celebrate Coming Out Day when the attackers stormed in. According to RT.com, the gang wore dark clothes and had shaved heads, “a typical look for Russian ultra-nationalists.”
They shouted “Did you want a show?” and started smashing everything around them and beating people, threatening them with guns, witnesses say.
“They were overturning tables and beating customers. Many were injured,” said witness Pavel Somburov, an activist from the Rainbow Association. “Then they suddenly left after an order from one of them.”
“Twenty scumbags were kicking women in their heads. My lady friend has multiple bruises, another girl has a shard of her glasses in the eye,” LGBT activist Sergey Ilupin wrote on his Twitter account.
The attackers fled by the time authorities arrived.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Mr. Enemabag Jones
With all the guns in Russia, why don’t any gay Russians own one? Is being a victim a worldwide mentality for queer people?
schlukitz
Bad enough that this sort of thing happens all too frequently in countries where there are no laws against homosexuality, but when homophobia is sanctioned by government, we can expect to see and hear about a lot more incidents like this, unfortunately.
BayAreaHomo
It’s a shame the story wasn’t titled “Moscow Gay Bar crowd kills dozens of invading Russian Nationalists after they kicked the door in.”
If more homophobes started wining Darwin Awards, perhaps we’d be safer.
2eo
@BayAreaHomo: I take solace in the face that every right wing Darwin award winner [this level of stupidity goes hand in hand with neo conservatism] that there must be dozens we don’t hear about.
I know it isn’t much, but remember a gay hating luddite somewhere on the planet is going to get run over today, their family will fake mourning for them and what few friends they haven’t alienated will laugh at his lifeless body and the world will be a better place.
The little victories do matter, it might be a Log Cabin member for a double victory for humanity.
hephaestion
This is sickening. Moscow would be a fabulous city if the homophobia there could be defeated. I wish Moscow gay bars would keep a stash of guns so they could chase out thugs with them.
Ogre Magi
I bet the attackers were all orthodox christians
Scott Johansen
@Mr. Enemabag Jones:
Individuals like yourself who find the need to always blame the gay community for everything so transparently showcase your own homophobia. There’s actually a name for that calculating tactic called ‘blame the gay’
If and when you read a story about violent, militant, homophobic thugs causing harm to innocent gay people and your immeditae, initial, automatic reaction is to fault the gay individuals… All while making a greater negative commentary on all gay people, coupled with not making mention at all of the perpetrators who commited the act; then you are a disturbed person with sincere prejudice toward gays that you need to overcome.
It’s classic ‘blame the gay’ mantra and stemmed entirely from homophobia, whether you realize it or not.
NotStr8Acting
@Scott Johansen: you’re just noticing Mr. Enema Bag’s homophobic POV. Stick around longer and see just how bitter his posts can get.
You’re right, amongst some people, every homophobic incident comes back to gays being the cause, but we call those types of gays who blame LGBT for homophobia, self haters. The self hating crowd is easily pegged and spotted by the well adjusted members of our community. After spotting them, we collectively keep our distance from said self haters because we all know their issues with being gay are so deeply rooted that no one and nothing can cure them of it but themselves. And to be around them is to be around a destructive force.
One thing you can count on self hating gays is, they’ll very rarely call out the flaws of te heteosexual community. Very rarely will you ever hear them hold hetersexuals accountable, or make generalizations about straight people in the frequency they make blanket statements about gay people.
The self hating gay usually has a lot of anger. But misdirected anger. They resent gay people who are comfortable within their own skin and their communities. Becase they themselves are not. That’s some hard concrete dose of truth right there.
Dumdum
My Great Grandmother fled Russia to escape communism, but no one can escape hate and intolerance.@NotStr8Acting: I am really tired of you people who seem to think that because a person is a stupid negative nellie that they are a self hating Gay. Maybe they are just assholes and hate themselves because of that. I get angry at my Gay brothers and sisters and I really get angry towards Breeders. If anything I am heterophobic. My point is stop judging others by your own limited psychoanalysis of self loathing based on sexual orientation. It is stupid and presumptuous on your part. To my Russian Gay brothers and sisters, you will always be welcome in my home should you ever make it to America.@schlukitz: That is very true. And what is the most frustrating thing of all is that there is absolutely NOTHING that we can do to change it.Ignorance is not bliss. Albert Einstein said.”Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.” H.G.Wells said.”Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo.” and that about sums it all up. Peace y all.
Billysees
We in the West are “blessed” with the dynamic influence of Protestantism, Catholicism and Judaism.
This is why “gay issues” are well tolerated, for the very most part.
Wherever mature Christianity prevails, love and tolerance towards LGBT’s also prevails.
Sorrowfully, Russia has never had these amazing advantages.
The Russian Orthodox Church seems to be too political and fundamentalist to have any meaningful influence towards love and tolerance at this time.
They need help.
Because the “West is Best”, we’ll have a changing influence on our Russian neighbors eventually.
It’ll take some time though.
Dumdum
@Billysees: I hate to burst your bubble Billy but here are the true facts about religion and Homosexuality. In today’s society, most Christian denominations welcome people attracted to the same sex, but teach that same sex relationships and homosexual sex are sinful. These denominations include the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox church, the Methodist Church, and many other mainline denominations, such as the Reformed Church in America and the American Baptist Church, as well as Conservative Evangelical organizations and churches, such as the Evangelical Alliance, and fundamentalist groups and churches, such as the Southern Baptist Convention. However, Pentecostal churches such as the Assemblies of God, as well as Restorationist churches, like Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons, also take the position that gay sexual activity is immoral.
Some Christian groups advocate conversion therapy and promote ex-gay groups. One such group, Exodus International, argues that conversion therapy may be a useful tool for decreasing same-sex desires. The medical and scientific consensus in the United States is that conversion therapy is likely harmful and should be avoided because it may exploit guilt and anxiety, thereby damaging self-esteem and leading to depression and even suicide. There is a broad concern in the mental health community that the advancement of conversion therapy itself causes social harm by disseminating inaccurate views about sexual orientation and the ability of gay, lesbian and bisexual people to lead happy, healthy lives. This promotion of the idea that homosexuality is immoral and can be corrected may make would-be attackers of homosexuals feel justified in that they are “doing God’s work” by ridding the world of LGBT people.
Pope Benedict XVI, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church has stoked this sentiment as well, stating that “protecting” humanity from homosexuality was just as important as saving the world from climate change and that all relationships beyond traditional heterosexual ones are a “destruction of God’s work”. Further, a Vatican official called homosexuality “a deviation, an irregularity, a wound”. While the Catholic Church teaches that same-sex attraction itself is not sinful, homosexual acts are “acts of grave depravity”. Homosexual congregation members are to be accepted and not discriminated against, but are asked to remain celibate.
And if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
—Leviticus 20:13
The above verse, along with Leviticus 18:22, is the cause of tension between the devout of the Abrahamic religions and members of the LGBT community. It is viewed by many as an outright condemnation of homosexual acts between men, and, more commonly in ancient times than today, justification for violence.
Billysees
@Dumdum: Re 11 “I hate to burst….
Thanks Dumdum for your thorough commentary concerning Christianity, churches, denominations, religion, scripture and some other items. I was not aware of some of what you’ve said.
Here’s what I can add to what you’ve said —
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1. Conversion therapy is an effort to draw an audience and make some money, and maybe some big bucks too. When they peddle the word “cure” for example, that’s an enormous lure to the unwise and unsuspecting.
Take this illustration for example — (some humor here)
Let’s say we are on a road and we come to a “Y” in the road with 4 different optional directions to take. But only one choice will be allowed. Road 1 will take us to have lunch with Pope Benedict in the Vatican. Road 2 will take us to have a couple of burgers for lunch with Bill and Hillary Clinton. Road 3 will take us to be cured or changed of anything our hearts desire, including sexual orientation. Road 4 will take us to Jesus himself and we’ll have lunch of 2 slices of pizza and a soda, we can shake his nail pierced hand but he won’t be able to do any healing or anything like that. And we’ll be able to ask him only one question. Now….which choice are you gonna make? I’m sure we’d take road # 3, for any number of reasons.
The moral of this example is that the road to a “cure” is greater than any other option.
Many gays and lesbians have been pursuing straight relationships since the beginning of time. There’s nothing new here. The motivation to do that is personally decided upon and is best left up to the individual and their private thoughts about the issue. Outside persuasion doesn’t seem fitting at all as critical factors such as sexual and social desires are at stake and nobody can best know anything about that but the persons involved.
It’s a shame that so many are hurt by this practice.
Years ago, I remember some TV evangelists and other scenarios of settings with crutches and wheel chairs on the stage behind faith healing efforts. Those activities were not true or realistic then and will eventually stop altogether. Conversion therapy should have the same end.
True healing or treatment from sickness and disease comes from the medical profession and personal prayer, if one so desires, and that is the real purpose of these things. The Holy Spirit leads us to do the things that are best for us.
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2. The only real dislike about homosexuality has to be butt-sex. I can’t imagine any other possible turn off than that. People should not think of this activity if it turns them off. Lesbians are on safe grounds here.
I know that not all gay guys do that all the time, so I can’t see what the objection is all about.
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3. We need to constantly remind others about the “love and affection” component that predominates gay relationships. It’s important for this to be widely known and understood.
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4. I can understand why churches are not favorable towards LGBT relationships. But their suggested alternative of celibacy is not realistic.
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5. As for what LGBT’s should do about their spiritual or religious life, I would make this recommendation —
— Paul wrote, “Work out “YOUR OWN” salvation or understanding”.
— Paul also wrote, “Come boldly to the throne of grace”.
— Don’t be afraid of the Lord. He doesn’t want you to be afraid of Him.
— He is you friend. He loves each one dearly who seek Him. Be one of His sheep.
— Make the best decisions for yourself as the Holy Spirit will lead.
— Being gay and having a special friend or lover is just too much fun and happiness to be ignored for religious reasons.
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6. Remember, the Bible was written by inspired people from an older culture. They cannot fully understand “gay issues” as we know and understand them today.
For example, Paul wrote, “those who disobey their parents are “worthy of death”. Rom 1:32
That verse should read “children who disobey their parents….” because who else would disobey their parents “but” children.
Could we imagine anyone being worthy of death in our day for such reasons ?
Of course not.
That won’t happen because of the work of the Holy Spirit which dwells in the hearts and minds of “mature” Christian people.
We modern Christians are also inspired by the Holy Spirit in our own unique way. The “Spirit of God” can talk to us today in a “better way” than it did when the Bible contents were written.
Jesus said, “The Holy Spirit will guide us and lead us into the future and into the things we should do in word and deed. (my own paraphrase)
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7. Concerning violence and hatred towards Gays —
Matthew Shepard’s story reminds me of what is necessary to prevent what happened to him from happening again.
When we come out of the closet, we encourage the following —
Everybody will see us for the easy-to-see good that we are.
If we are not visible, then nobody will know what we’re like.
No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house (everywhere) …….Matthew 5:15
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven ……..Matthew 5:16
I know the New Testament to be more valuable to read and learn from than the Old Testament.
Dumdum
@Billysees: I am not clear about your sexual orientation. I presume that you are a Gay Christian which is to me an oxymoron as is Gay Republican. I have no political or religious affiliations. As an Anthropologist it is important to be objective. However that is not always easy as I am a sentient emotional being. Their are a couple of points that I would like to make. A. Y has only two directions, this + has 4. B. Crucifixion was in use at a comparatively high rate among the Seleucids, Carthaginians, and Romans from about the 6th century BC to the 4th century AD. The person or persons were either tied or nailed to a cross or tree and left to die. To be nailed the spike or nail must be driven between the ulna and the radius just behind the carpus of the wrist. So for Christ to bleed from the hand would have to be pure theatrics on his part. However tying with rope was much more common as it prolonged the humiliation and torture that was intended for crucifixion. C. Gays have not been pursuing heterosexual relations since the beginning of time. In many cultures throughout the world and prior to the advent of Christianity and the other Abrahamic religions same sex relations were fairly common and not viewed as something wrong or unwholesome. Conversion to Christianity was primarily responsible for the vilification of Homosexual practices. And last but not least. On the subject of Paul. It could be said that he was not only Homophobic but misogynistic as well. Query- Have you ever considered Buddhism as an alternative to Christianity? It is not a religion per se however it does predate the Abrahamic religions with many similarities and in my opinion several benefits. Just saying. Peace bro.
Billysees
@Dumdum: Re 13 “I am not….
I don’t know why you would inquire about my sexual orientation. Strange that is must appear as an unknown to some. I seldom get on a soapbox about it unless required, but even the most casual reading between the lines of my comments should easily reveal the same.
I am a Gay Christian. And that means “to me” that I live in the best of both worlds. It really is not an oxymoron either, but may be considered as such by some.
I’m surprise you have no political or religious affiliation. That’s a rare testimony nowadays. I’ve been for the longest time a Democrat. I grew up in the Methodist Church, a good denomination of moderate spirituality and attitudes and no fundamentalist extremism. I am not a church goer now. Once I came to know and understand what the church is about, i.e. “enter to learn, go forth to serve”, and the relevance of its teachings, it was time to put into practice those things and I didn’t want to experience the redundancy of regular attendance anymore.
I’m happy meeting someone in the bar scene who is a mature person and maybe a potential “special friend”. That’s the expression I use to denote a possible lover……Lol.
Interesting that you are an Anthropologist. I had to look that up to refresh my understanding —
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/anthropologist.
Also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropology.
The history and development of humans must be involved, but don’t know why that is not easy cause you’re a “sentient” emotional being. I had to look up the word sentient also. Who isn’t?
My education has been in Electronics Technology thus enabling me to become an Electronics Engineering Technician. Most all of my work in this field has been in the Defense Industry employed by corporations such as Martin Marietta, now Lockheed Martin.
From your points A, B and C.
A — “Y has only two directions, this + 4.” I don’t follow you here? Must be a reference to that silly humorous illustration I made. I should add here for clarity sake that the reason why folks would choose the “cure” road and forget about having a pizza lunch with Jesus, lol…lol…, is because our health is never perfect and that “being and feeling” healthy is really really important.
B — Interesting what you say about “crucifixion”. These things must be related to the learning of anthropology from above.
My most important interests involve the “here and now” which is in contrast to your anthropological studies. Assuming that my belief in a creator-God is true and that Jesus is his “best” representative here on earth, I am always fascinated with the words and deeds attributed to him. The best and most stirring thing he said is part of the Lord’s Prayer. You’ll recognize it —
“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”
I like to think about this and try to see and figure out how this is gonna “play out” in the world today. I firmly believe that the hand of “our creator”, is looking out for the welfare of the gay community.
C — When I said about gays pursuing straight relationships, I meant that a very small number of gays and lesbians do “chase” after their opposite sex. Maybe they’re bisexual or something.
I wondered in my own life whether I would wind up doing the same. I’m so glad I didn’t. I would never be happy in such a relationship, no matter how ideal they may seem. Considering that I have known about gay people who pursue traditional relationships, I’m assuming that they have been doing that for all of history.
But you say “no”. I knew about same sex relations early on in history but didn’t know they were viewed as OK or good. Didn’t know that Christianity brought in the vilification of gay practices. Interesting.
Ah…..Paul. A mixed bag for sure. I’m always amused when he wrote from Romans 1:32 that those who disobey their parents are “worthy of death”….lol. That verse should read “children who disobey their parents” because who else would disobey their parents but children. Could we imagine in our day and time anyone being worthy of death for such reasons ? Of course not. The dumbest thing I think he ever said.
I’m afraid that many fundamentalists get hung up on these kinds of comments and it makes them act and talk stupid.
I’m “slightly unconvinced” that Paul was that homophobic or that misogynistic. Some of his writings might imply that but I might question his sincerity.
I had a brief conversation with someone who wrote about Buddhism here at Queerty a while back. I did a search of same and realized it was a sophisticated spirituality and I did know that it predated the Abrahamic religions. I recall saying to him that what we could describe as “a Spirit of God” must have been at work in Buddhist activity and that this same spirit may have simply been “redefined” or put into a Christian context, when Jesus appeared.
Just sayin’.
Peace to you also…..
Billysees
I’d like to retract something I said in comment #10, “We in the west….
I said, “We in the West are “blessed” with the dynamic influence of Protestantism, Catholicism and Judaism.
That was “wrong and exclusive” for me to say that.
I now would say that, “We in the West are blessed by mature minded people of various religious backgrounds.
Dumdum
@Billysees: I think you are an interesting person.I find your candor and your faith very refreshing. Maybe we can talk more. I have some questions. I have never known a Gay Christian. [email protected]
Billysees
@Dumdum: Re 16 “I think….
Thanks for the kind words.
Now let me express something similar.
Here’s what you said from No. 13, “I am not clear… —
“Query- Have you ever considered Buddhism as an alternative to Christianity? It is not a religion per se however it does predate the Abrahamic religions with many similarities and in my opinion several benefits.”
I sensed your appreciation for Buddhism and a desire to express some positive thoughts about it.
And then I realized how foolish I was in giving praise “only” to the “big 3” religions in No. 10, “We in the West….” that I was so embarrassed by the exclusion of others, including you and other Buddhists, that I posted a retraction. And even that is “poorly expressed”.
I’m hopelessly a Christian (I say that with humor). But that doesn’t mean I say or express myself correctly. You know ….. there’s good, better, and best. I strive to express myself in the “best” category but it just doesn’t work all the time.
Considering No. 15, “I’d like to….
Here’s the latest upgrade —
“We in the West are blessed by intelligent and mature minded people from various backgrounds”.
Now that sounds inclusive.
I’ve copied your No. 16 for future reference but I come across your kinda funny and interesting name “DumDum” so often here at Queerty, that I’m sure will bump into one another again.
For your interest, you might like to know that I also post comments at the Huffington Post’s Gay Voices.
Here’s my largest contribution at Huffington Post so far —
See — http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jaweed-kaleem/faith-shift-what-religion-stories_b_1412331.html
Start at 04/24/2012 and go until the entries are closed. I use the same “handle” Billysees and the cat in the logo is my cat Scooty…….lol..lol.
Also — http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/14/top-100-influential-relig_n_1836687.html?utm_hp_ref=religion.
I posted only two comments there so far, 09/20/2012 and 09/22/2012.
Sounds like I’m some kind of fanatic….lol..lol, but not really….just enthusiastic about something worthwhile….that’s all.
The Bible has a meaningful idea/verse that goes like this, “whatever faith you have, keep it to yourself, before God.” I practice that publicly except when I post stuff.
I can say this with sincerity, Bruce Barton is one of the most interesting and exciting writers I’ve ever known. You’ll enjoy reading “The Man Nobody Knows” when you get the chance. One of his other books called “What Can A Man Believe?” would be of interest to someone like yourself….an Anthropologist.
Till again….
Billysees
@Dumdum: Re 16, “I think….
Dear Dumdum,
Thought you’d be interested in a comment exchange I had with a fellow Buddhist, I think.
See — http://www.queerty.com/mn-archbishop-john-nienstadt-to-parishioner-reject-gay-son-or-go-to-hell-20121010/#comments