Gays Arrested in Moscow - Apparently for Being Gay
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Dozens of gays and lesbians have been arrested and detained in Moscow, ahead of a march planned for Saturday night. The march was an attempt by the Russian gay community to attract attention to the issue of human rights, especially as it relates to gays. The march was to take advantage of the attention being focused on Moscow as it hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, which has a strong following amongst Europe's gay community.
Marchers were to rally at Novopushkinsky Park in central Moscow. Police barricaded the park with metal bars. As people began trickling into the area, they were arrested without explanation. The arrests included Nikolai Alexeyev, a prominent gay Russian activist, and his associate, Nikolai Bayev.
UK gay human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell wrote on his web site:
"This parade is in defense of human rights. We are defending the often violated human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Russians. They want legal protection against discrimination and hate crimes. I support their cause.
"Not all Russians are homophobic, but many are. Gay Russians suffer queer-bashing attacks, blackmail, verbal abuse and discrimination in education, housing and employment. This shames the great Russian nation."
hxxp://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/05/16/russia.gay.march.eurovision/index.html?eref=rss_world
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Russia is very anti gay.
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The march was an attempt by the Russian gay community to attract attention to the issue of human rights, especially as it relates to gays.
well, atleast they managed their goal (though not the way they intended).
