In this masterfully created video, an international LGBT activism group called AllOut beseeches St. Petersburg regional governor Georgy Poltavchenko not to sign a recently passed bill that outlaws “promotion of homosexuality.” It’s brilliantly cut with an emotional orchestral piece by St. Petersburg’s very own gay musician, Pyotr Tchaikovsky.
Polina Savchenko, the director of Coming Out, an LGBT organization based in St. Petersburg, had this to say:
“This radical law undermines the great legacy of our city’s past and future. If it passes, it would be illegal to mention that famed Russian composer of the 1812 Overture, St. Petersburg native Tchaikovksy, was gay. This law installs a culture of censorship in what was once Russia’s most cosmopolitan city and is a huge blow to the freedom of expression in Russia. At a time when people all over the world are opening up and coming out, this law puts Russia back in the closet.”
Said AllOut.org’s Executive Director Andre Banks:
“This reputation can’t coexist with a new law that will muzzle artists, writers, musicians and regular citizens who live in—or visit—the city,” says AllOut.org Executive Director Andre Banks. “This bill, which would violate Russia’s own constitution as well as any number of international treaties, is an outrageous attack on the freedom of expression for all Russians—straight and gay. It must not be allowed to stand.”
Take a stand with them and sign their online petition—it takes less than two minutes.
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bobito
hmmmm… Tchaikovsky may have been ordered to kill himself by a “Court of Honor” in St. Petersburg so that the scandal of his homosexuality would die with him. Don’t know if invoking his memory in this context is going to move the authorities there this time.
prince of snides aka divkid
to my fellow capitalist-imperialist-bourgeois-degenerate pig-dogs, c’mon let’s get the numbers up on this petition; we need all hands on deck — let’s get all battleship-potemkin on their asses (no, i don’t know what that is either.)
props to ALLOUT for a very slick and professional campaign; on the strength of this effort you’ll be my go-to lgbt campaign organisation.
TASTEY GOODIES
1812 OVERTURE IS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVS. ONE DOES HAVE 2 WONDER IF THE CHRISTMAS
CLASSIC, THE NUTCRACKER SUITE, WILL BE ALLOWED 2 BE PERFORMED BY ANY ST. PETERSBERG
BALLET CO. IF NOT, THEN THAT WOULD BE A CHRISTMAS TIME TRAGEDY.
Margaret O'Keeffe
Your commitment to Human Rights is amazing, well done, Margaret.
Gian Paolo
Not allowing part of society to express freely itself is a damage to all society. It is sad that in 2012 there’s still people completely unable to understand this simple fact.
Brian Fisher
Totally backward step. The world is rebelling against inequality. You cannot overcome your homophobia by denying gay existence. Don’t do it. It’s barbaric and stupid!
Tomás
People, please don’t forget to LIKE the video and LEAVE A SUPPORT COMMENT, because a huge part of the video’s comments are homophobic, and we have to make a difference.
It was All Out who appealed for us to do this.
LIKE and COMMENT, don’t forget!
BILLY NAME
GAY RIGHTS WILL WIN EVERYWHERE.
Ripear
Great video!Very emotional and it perfectly conveys the essence of what people not to infringe upon their right to love and be loved !And the more in no case be considered as second-class people because of their orientation!This private affair of everyone whom he loved!
yvonne micheli
Practice The Golden Rule! Always and in all ways. Our world needs our attention in so many ways. Let us use our energy for making the earth a better place for all and stop wasting time on hate.
Daniel de Culla
There’s only a Path in our World: The LGBT Path¡