Смелость
Just saw this:
Gay Pride parade organizers determined to hold it in Moscow
I want to say that I have the utmost respect and heartfelt admiration for the men and women who are defying the authorities to stage this event. They are risking their personal safety, perhaps their very lives, in order to make a statement about the visibility and dignity of GLBT people in Russia. Both Orthodox and Roman Catholic leaders have condemned the march. Russia’s chief rabbi declared that the march would be as offensive to Jews as the Danish caricatures of Mohammed were to Muslims. Muslim leaders have threatened physical violence and beatings if the march takes place.
By publicly showing that they are a presence in Russia and not ashamed of their identity as queer Russians, these courageous men and women are helping pave the way for greater acceptance of Russia’s sexual minorities. Though it will be a long and difficult struggle in Russia (as elsewhere), a show of gay pride in the present will help ensure that future generations of GLBT Russians do not have to live in shame.
Silence = Death
Безмолвие = Смерть
Смелость = Courage
вы делаете историю!
Gay Pride parade organizers determined to hold it in MoscowMOSCOW. April 26 (Interfax) – The organizers of a Gay Pride parade in Moscow are determined to hold it despite the Moscow government’s refusal to grant approval, GayRussia.ru coordinator Nikolai Alexeyev told Interfax.
“We plan to hold our procession on Saturday, May 27, roughly at 3:00 p.m., right after the end of a conference to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, which will take place at Moscow’s Swiss Hotel,” Alexeyev said.
Sexual minorities in Moscow plan to file an application for a parade on May 15, despite the fact that Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov said earlier that he would not allow such an event in the city. He was supported by the leaders of all leading religious confessions in Russia.
I want to say that I have the utmost respect and heartfelt admiration for the men and women who are defying the authorities to stage this event. They are risking their personal safety, perhaps their very lives, in order to make a statement about the visibility and dignity of GLBT people in Russia. Both Orthodox and Roman Catholic leaders have condemned the march. Russia’s chief rabbi declared that the march would be as offensive to Jews as the Danish caricatures of Mohammed were to Muslims. Muslim leaders have threatened physical violence and beatings if the march takes place.
By publicly showing that they are a presence in Russia and not ashamed of their identity as queer Russians, these courageous men and women are helping pave the way for greater acceptance of Russia’s sexual minorities. Though it will be a long and difficult struggle in Russia (as elsewhere), a show of gay pride in the present will help ensure that future generations of GLBT Russians do not have to live in shame.
Безмолвие = Смерть
Смелость = Courage
вы делаете историю!
posted by Sandouri Dean Bey at 5:18 PM
5 Comments:
It's humbling, isn't it? While in other countries people bicker over the commercialization and symbolic significance of Pride parades, in places like Russia people have to fight just to stage one. That really puts things in perspective.
From articles I've read, the level of social acceptance for gays in Russia is still very very far from ideal.
Checked out skordalia's website. Wow. It's really exciting. I should make it a point to check you guys out.
I got Tarkan's Simarik on my playlist. He and his songs are real sexy.
My heart goes out to these people, how incredibly courageous they are. Gang violence against (among other groups) gays is rampant over there right now.
"Russia’s chief rabbi declared that the march would be as offensive to Jews as the Danish caricatures of Mohammed were to Muslims."
That is ridiculous, what kind of Moron would make such a statment? Oh yea, one who wants to jump on the band wagon because he belongs to another group descriminated against in Russia. Pathetic!!
aron-
thanks for checking out the skordalia website. i should be better about updating our gigging schedule. hope you get to hear us some time if you're out in this neck of the woods :)
g.e.-
yes, humbling indeed.
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