Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov initially did not approve a Gay Pride march because local Muslim, Christian, and Jewish groups all threatened violence to varying degrees. Rather than try to resolve the conflict through negotiation, the mayor thought it easier just to sideline the gays and ban their march. Moscow’s Tverskoy court has sided with the mayor and the march will not happen unless gay organizers put together an illegal march, which they have been promising.
We are sad that the Pride participants may have to march without police protection and may even be subject to police violence in addition to whatever trouble the religious protestors might cause. Perhaps if the mayor weren’t so spineless then the whole situation could be avoided, because right now he only thinks he is avoiding trouble when in fact he is creating a climate where something far worse could happen.
Court Bans Moscow Gay Pride [MosNews]
Ryan
Should anyone be surprised? Russia is quickly becoming the Soviet Union part 2. The budding democracy has already been killed – even freedomhouse.org lists it as “Not Free.”
Jonathon
I’d love to be there for the march… how exciting it would be. I sincerely hope that there isn’t any violent outburst from the faith-based hate community but since we are talking about Russia (which hasn’t really had much experience with civil rights demonstrations) I would be surprised if there aren’t.
Kudos to those gays and lesbians who will be brave enough to march whether they get official permission or not. Homophobia and bigotry must be challenged wherever it rears its head. The leaders of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities in Russia who have so outspokenly rejected the march should be ASHAMED: one Russian Orthodox priest even went so far as to bless SKINHEADS who presumably will then be armed with the anger of their deity and will strike against homosexuals.
Xarro
Tomorrow it’s the Gay Pride here in Brussels. And those news from Russia are one more reason to go. It is our fight. And it is not over. Yet.
Bob
Police arrested dozens of gay people. No word today if any of the neo-cons, patriots or religious freaks were also rounded up for gathering without a permit.