Brody's Scribbles... Prohibition Of Pride In St Petersburg, Russia Is Ruled Illegal

Nikolai Alekseev is a leading voice and advocate for LGBT Equality Rights in The Russian Federation. Founder and online Publisher of the Russian-Language website, GayRussia.ru, established in 2005, the LGBT Human Rights Project very quickly became one the main sources of information on the topic and leading force in the fight for equal rights of gays and lesbians in Russia. A lawyer and also a journalist, Alekseev is also frequent contributor to the British newspaper, guardian.co.uk's online 'comment is free' column.

Nikolai Alekseev   Photo by Kirill Nepomnyaschiy

By Nikolai Alekseev (Moscow, Russian Federation) OCT 9 |  I want to share this moment with all those who supported us and followed us over the years. In a country which those abroad often say it is better not do anything since we cannot change minds, it's a sign that change can happen anywhere, as long as one believes and spares no effort. Our right to peaceful protest has been recognised by a Russian court. It's a small victory but the first is always the best.

It's a decision I did not hesitate a second to qualify as historic. For the first time a Russian court ruled illegal, the decision to ban a demonstration, organized by homosexuals in Russia. It is as much history as it comes after a week "crazy." First, there was the decision of President Medvedev to sack the Mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov, who publicly viewed homosexuals as "weapons of mass destruction" and did not hesitate to call us "satanic" on television. Although the former mayor deserves the credit to enter the record books in terms of number of LGBT gatherings banned.

Then as incredible as it may seem, the first demonstration by LGBT activists was authorised to take place in Moscow last Friday. Instead of being arrested and beaten by police, they were ordered to protect demonstrators from hooligans. 

However, the same day, Acting Mayor of Moscow, an ally of Luzhkov, however, appointed as Prefect of the District northeast of the city, one Oleg Mitvol who has publicly said that Gay clubs were places of debauchery that helped the spread of AIDS.

So far this chain of elements is not necessarily related to a change of attitude vis-à-vis Russia as LGBT are other political factors come into account. 

This past Wednesday, the principal court of the city of St Petersburg ruled at trial that the ban by the municipality, to allow LGBT activists to organise a rally for Gay Pride last June 26, was a decision contrary to the law! After 5 years of multiple procedures, arrests, intimidation, spinning, plays, dozens of lost lawsuits and especially a hard flawless activists determined to change things, we can finally celebrate a victory. 

For the first time, Russian courts recognise our right to express freely in the streets. Yet, taking nothing for granted because there will surely will be an appeal to the decision and that anything can still change. But... There is something to celebrate because this persecution was not in vain and we did well to never give up.

I want to share this moment with all those who supported us and followed us over the years. And it is also a message for all those who think that nothing can change. In a country where I often hear from abroad it is better not do anything, since we can not allegedly change anything, it's a signal that change can happen anywhere as long as one believes and that it is sparing no efforts. And the good news is that there is no need to make concessions for it.

Our right to peaceful protest has been recognized by a Russian court. It's a small victory but the first is always the best. And next year, the 3rd edition of the "Slavic Pride" will be held in St Petersburg ...