Tag Archives: gay activists

Moscow Bans Gay Pride Parades For The Next 100 Years

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On Friday, a Moscow city court upheld the ridiculous decision to uphold a law that precvents the gay all celebration festivities of gay pride parades. The ban on gay pride parades started in May 2012 and will last until May 2112. An LGBT community lawyer has vowed to appeal the decision and if necessary, Nikolay Alekseyev,  intends on appealing the mandate to the European Court of Human Rights.

“They refuse our requests every time, but in Strasbourg they recognize these rulings as unlawful. But time does not stand still, we ask for a new event and again they refuse us,”

Alekseyev had submitted a request last year for over a hundred gay pride parades but they were neither accepted or denied within a 15 day time limit. the activists knew that approval was highly unlikely but needed a formal denial in order to file for an appeal.

Gay activists have not let the law prevent them from celebrating pride in their sexuality. In June, a group of 70 held the first ever gay pride parade in Moscow known as “March of the Burning Hearts”. The name came as a response from aa tv anchor that said gay people should not be allowed to donate organs and the hearts of gay people should be burned. Surprisingly the police at the rally did not detain the activists and were offered to drive them home (which was declined).

Recently Russia has been in the news a lot regarding gay rights. Punk rock band and LGBT activists Pussy Riot were found guilty of “hooliganism” Friday and sentenced to two years imprisonment after they performed at one of Moscow’s cathedrals. Their performance was derogatory to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

The stringent and religiously conservative demands that the country has made recently has garnered worldwide attention from the Amnesty International to artists like Madonna, who’s currently being sued for showing support for Pussy Riot in a recent concert in St. Petersburg.

Music Icon Madonna Sued For Supporting Pussy Riot & Gay Rights In Recent Concert

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It is reported that singer, actress, icon, and legend Madonna is being sued for $10.5 million (£6.6 million) by the Russian Anti-Gay groups because of her support of the band group Pussy Riot during her MDNA concert on August 9th.During the concert, Madonna reaffirmed her support for gay rights:

 “here to say that the gay community and gay people here and all around the world have the same rights to be treated with dignity, with respect, with tolerance, with compassion, with love,”

During the concert Madonna handed out anti-homophobia wristbands and during a performance of “Express Yourself” exposed her back with the band’s name in support. Madonna also held up rainbow colored signs in show that said “NO FEAR”.

The oppressors are claiming that Madonna’s recent performace supporting punk rock group Pussy Riot after their arrest protesting the Russian Government’s anti-gay rights stance siting her performance was “moral damage suffered by St. Petersburg residents”. A legal represnetative for the anti-gay groups suing said the performance was “psychological stress and emotional shock” as well as a“promotion of homosexuality.” Madonna is also being accused of disfiguring an Orthodox Cross.

Pussy Riot were arrested in March after their charged performance of “punk party”, a song that opposed Russian leader Vladimir Putin and the government’s extreme conservative views on gay rights.The three bandmembers were sentenced yesterday to two years in prison labeled as “hooliganism” Both Pussy Riot and Madonna have been staunch supporters of LGBT rights and equality.

Earler today. Madonna released a statement encouraging activist and advocates alike that the conviction of the band Pusssy Riot is unjust and encourages others to speak out:

“I protest the conviction and sentencing of Pussy Riot to a penal colony for two years for a 40 second performance extolling their political opinions. Even if one disagrees with the location or how they chose to express themselves, the sentence is too harsh and in fact is inhumane. I call on all those who love freedom to condemn this unjust punishment. I urge artists around the world to speak up in protest against this travesty. They’ve spent enough time in jail. I call on ALL of Russia to let Pussy Riot go free.”

As of the time of this article, there’s been no official comment from Madonna or her representatives on this ridiculous lawsuit.

Pussy Riot Members Unjustly Sentenced To Prison

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Three members of the innovative punk rock band Pussy Riot were sentenced to two years in prison on the incredulous charges of “hooliganism”. supporters of the band were heard chanting “Shame!” outside the courtroom after the members were sentenced. The band were formally arrested in March of this year after their performance of “punk prayer” held at Christ the Savior Cathedral, one of Moscow’s main religious establishments. when they performed in protest to Russian ruler Vladimir Putin.

In their closing statements before sentencing, the three very classy ladies in their closing statements professed to how freedom of speech was necessary function in a society unfortunately to no avail. The eloquent and philosophical wording from the members reflects the band’s longtime support of gay rights performing in multiple gay pride festivities in Russia.

The push for more stringent and discriminatory laws are being seen as a result of more public voicing of activists for gay rights. Some supporters feel that the band were charged because of their “queer, feminist or left-leaning” especially in light of the newer laws in Russia that have banned gay pride parades and even some places looking to make homosexuality illegal.

The Judge proceeding the trial determined that the band had “crudely undermined social order.” The Judge who took three long hours to read the verdict, elaborated her sentencing stating “Considering the nature and degree of the danger posed by what was done, the defendants’ correction is possible only through an actual punishment,Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, all kept their cool as the sentence was read and peacefully were led out in handcuffs.

Officials from Amnesty Internatioonal are concerned the sentence saying the sentencing feels “disproportionate” and that the harsh judgment will have “negative impact on freedom of expression”, and that they need to “to review this case” .

Their arrest and subsequent trial has sparked worldwide support from gay activist and advocates. Music icon Madonna, a long time supporter and advocate of LGBT rights, has supported the band even wearing some of their trademark outfits and painting the band’s name Pussy Riot on her back while performing in Russia.

Support for the band continues to grow with petitions calling for these classy rockers freedom with well over 120000 signatures.