Russian gay rights activists demonstrated on Sunday, marking the date homosexuality was decriminalized in Russia, way back in 1993. Their pride celebrations were not decriminalized, however, since there is an official ban on gay-pride events in Moscow.
Unlike the openly gay mayors of Berlin and Paris, Moscow's mayor Yury Luzhkov has labeled gay events "Satan's work." Apparently many of Moscow's residents agree with him. While gay rights demonstrators ignored the ban, it was hard to ignore their opponents who threw eggs at them and physically assaulted at least one gay man by punching him to the ground. Meanwhile, Russian Orthodox elderly women held an antigay vigil, some loudly condemning gay activists to hell.
Are you surprised that officials and residents of Moscow go to such extremes to repress the expression of gay pride? Do conservative Russians have the right to squash alternative lifestyles?
- Russian gays defied a ban by city authorities.
- A member of the Russian gay community lies on a ground after he was beaten by a far-right activist.
- Russian police forces arrest a far-right activist during a banned gay rally.
- Members of the Russian gay community hold flags.
- Russian gay community leader Nikolai Alexeyev waves a flag.
G Star
Cultbeauty
Achile
My heart aches for the activists in Russia - they are up against such hatred and no one's going to protect them.
1Activists in Russia? How about the poor people here who have to deal with a**holes like James Dobson?
2Those poor people. I am glad we know that this is happening, though. It makes you appreciate the freedoms we have here.
3I feel for them too, but it just seems that in Russia, absolutely any one can beat up a gay person and no one notices. Here there are people who might try to help you and maybe want kick dobson's a**.
4I was going to say the same thing, Jillness. Sometimes I take for granted that we live in a generally tolerant society.
5Russian govt was godless for so many decades, and now they talk about Satan?
6Good point Janneth.
7They'll come around over time I think. I bet it was like this in the U.S. when gays started coming out. If no one is killed perhaps it's progress, sad a that may be.
8When I saw those people in Dobson's group tormenting that Shepard family when they buried their son, I understood what evil really meant.
9What everyone's going natural??? Some of us really don't want to
10Didn't mean to step on your comment Raci - but you surprised me.
11I thought that was you and I wanted to remark how much you looked like Senator Obama and then I realized that it was Senator Obama and then I felt stupid.
Hey! Get out of here! Damned elves!
12Rac it's you! Why do you still look like a raccoon to me!?? LOL
13Well, I do eat garbage...
Oh, that's nice. I hate these things. God, how I hate them.
14not all of us are more beautiful than our avatars.
15LLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
OMG you just killed me yesteryear. What IS that? Is it a muppet?
16Oh my gosh. You literally JUST changed it again. I was right you are a really cute girl!!! You look exactly like I thought you would. I think I'm psychic.
17haha
18i couldn't handle it. but the best part is, now its like you're telling a hideous clown that she is a cute girl!
Now you're just messing with me! Everyone's going to think I'm crazy. I see what you're trying to do yesteryear...you and bozo the clown, and I tell you I won't fall for it.
19i guess none of us are hideous beasts in real life. somehow, i am disappointed. i thought i'd stumbled upon a real "internet community"!!!
20Yeah... we don't really fit the "addicted to the computer"
21profile...LOL
ok ok, i wont change it for the night at least. i will say it does feel strange though to be out without my cigarette and wrinkles, etc.
22LOL Your comments take on a whole new meaning!
23Wow, got way off topic here.
24I see those aloe treatments have worked wonders yesteryear.
Gay Russians who would have thought. It's only a matter of time we'll take over the world and have everyone organized and dressed well.
25It seems hypocritical to decriminalize homosexuality but ban gay pride events.
26I snuck in on the team blue REVEAL!
27Hey, I posed for this painting. Does that count??
28I think you are the only team red member that we know what they look like. And UnDave. Can't forget about him and his cutie pie kids.
29are you talking to me?
30I am talking to you
31Wait, Rac's a guy???? (Or is that a new bob hairstyle??) oh i'm embarrassed either way!!!
And Yesteryear, you are pretty much what i thought you'd look like. Minus the angels and kittens in the background.
32Cine, will you ever reveal your true self??? I'll show you mine if you show me yours!
33oooh I want in on THAT action ladies!
34only if Cine agrees. i'll change it for 5 minutes.
35do it! do it! do it!
36k, Sy, i'll do it for you. it's one of me and my bf.
37kewl!
38aw yay! You're darling and so is your bf!!! Ha, you're such a rocker! I love it!!
39teee heeee
THIS IS ME WORLD! Love me for who i am!!!
40this is the BEST day ever!
41phew, that was a relief. i've never done that in the almost three years i've been on this site!
i think i'll just keep it on for the rest of the day...and then i'll change it to a new group...maybe i'll revert back to the Doors...or Dylan.
42Nica that pic is adorable! You two are so cute together. Now if I see you on the streets of DC I'll recognize you
43okay Pop and Cine...your turn!
Sike, i can't ask you to reveal yourself if you
don't want to...although i would be interested. perhaps we can make today "Reveal Yourself on CitizenSugar" Day?
44Everyone is so great looking!
I like seeing the pictures. Because now if someone says something that I may disagree with or I get mad at the sarcastic comments, I can look at the real them and be more understanding. Because that's a real person talking, and seeing the real faces makes me take that into consideration. It's harder to get mad at a real person - especially when the faces are so kind looking. It makes everyone seem less harsh, if that makes sense.
45It makes sense to me, Kimpossible.
And I'm glad that they went ahead and had their celebration, illegal or not. Hopefully Russia's tolerance will grow.
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