Brody's Notes... Moscow Pride Parade Staged Successfully

Moscow Gay Pride Protesters  Photo By Kirill Nepomnyaschiy

By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) May 29 | The Associated Press reports that two Gay Pride parades were held without arrests in Moscow today, the first time the notoriously intolerant Russian authorities have not intervened since the inaugural attempt to hold the event in the capital in 2006. According to the AP's Jim Heintz, when asked whether he felt a thaw in official attitudes toward gays, parade organizer Nikolai Alexeyev said that there had been no change, and no detentions had been made because the activists had simply given the cops the slip.

"Our military planning was why there were no arrests. We had to organize these parades under strict secrecy, we turned away anyone we didn't know," he said, claiming the authorities were attempting to infiltrate the organizers.

Moscow riot police typically disperse such gatherings with brute force, emboldened by declarations from city Mayor Yury Luzhkov equating homosexuals with the devil. The activists also blame Russia's resurgent Orthodox Church, which publicly and sternly denounces gay culture, for fomenting homophobia.

Alexeyev told the few journalists who had managed to accompany the protesters afterwards:

"For the first time, we have been able to walk with a 20 meters Rainbow flag, in the streets of Moscow. We managed to fool the police and the anti pride protesters and as a result, the event went on peacefully, We showed today that despite what the Mayor of Moscow [ Yury Luzhkov ] is saying and despite the Court decision, it is possible to host a March in support of Gay rights in Moscow, We are now looking forward for the Court decision from the European Court and we do hope that next year, the first authorised Moscow Pride will take place in Moscow."

Alexeyev  also issued an apology to the Press Corps gathered near the EU Commission's offices as in what was termed a diversion tactic, Alexeyev on Wednesday had told journalists that the protest would be held outside the European Commission's office in central Moscow.  Moscow police and riot officers had apparently gathered at the announced location.

"We are very sorry for the journalists who were waiting for the March at the Office of the European Commission and who missed the action which took place today but we hope you understand that given the very particular context we have to face here in Moscow where the police is watching gay activists and journalists and our will to avoid any arrest and any beatings, the way we conducted the 5th Moscow Pride attempt was the most appropriate," he said. 

The activists, led by Alexeyev, also included British campaigner Peter Tatchell and German MP Volker Beck, ran along Leningradsky Prospekt in central Moscow with a huge rainbow flag. Earlier Saturday, a separate group of protesters led by left-wing activist Igor Yasin held a demonstration in support of gay rights on Stary Arbat street in central Moscow.

The protesters, who did not apply for permission from city authorities, also carried a rainbow flag and placards reading "Gays for equality without compromises" before running away from police, Gazeta.ru web site reported.