Four arrests in Russian LGBT protest 

SAINT PETERSBURG: Four people were arrested Friday (May 17) during a protest by LGBT activists in central Saint Petersburg, Russia’s second city, an AFP reporter said.

Around 10 people took part in the protest as they marked international day against homophobia and transphobia and were quickly surrounded by a group of riot police.Advertisement

“We want to draw attention to the problems of the LGBT community. They are clamping down on us and don’t allow us to defend our rights,” one of the group told AFP.

Moscow city hall had Wednesday rejected four requests for demonstrations, including a gay-pride march, made by Nikolai Alexeyev, a gay community leader in Russia who said the city authorities had rejected such rallies for 14 years.

Last November the European Court of Human Rights rebuked Moscow for a ban on holding LGBT assemblies as a violation of human rights and freedom of assembly.

Russia has taken a conservative line on sexual minorities and homosexuality was deemed a crime until 1993 and as a mental illness until 1999.Advertisement

Moscow also has since 2013 punished with fines and prison terms anything authorities deem gay “propaganda” anywhere children might see it.

There have furthermore been several reported cases over the past two years of gay people being jailed or killed in the Russian republic of Chechnya.Source: AFP/nh

Gatherings have also been reported in the Russian cities of Yaroslavl, Krasnodar and Perm. Source Times Of Moscow

From the organisers: “On May 17, the LGBT organisation Reverse organized in Rostov and Krasnodar a flash mob on the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. We launched paper lanterns and balloons over our cities as a sign of our solidarity with LGBT people of the whole world and the struggle for equal human rights, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. With this action we want to support the LGBT community and feel our involvement in the fight for equal rights all over the world!”

Event: Rainbow flash mob in Tyumen
Direction: Rainbow flash mob – launch balloons
Date: 05/17/2019
Time:
Info: On May 17, the day of the fight against homophobia, a rainbow flash mob will take place in the Komsomolsky Square. This is an international peace action, when balloons of colors of the rainbow are launched into the sky. It is about the fact that homophobia and hatred are bad, respect and love is good. The action is already the second year agreed with the city administration