European Court Rules in Favor of Moscow Pride

Despite the Ban on Pride Parades, Smaller Flash Parades Sprung Up. Image via Google.

Moscow Pride is arguably one of the most drama filled and controversial Pride events in the world. Between massive protests, cancellations, and even the former mayor calling it "satanic," the LGBT community in Russia can't catch a break. We did get hopeful when a new acting mayor was instated, Yury Luzhkov, but we quickly learned that he took Carl Paladino's stance on Pride parades.

There is some hope for the future, however, because the European Court of Human Rights ruled yesterday that Moscow's authorities acted illegally when they banned gay Pride in Moscow. The city hall was then ordered to pay around $17,000 in damages and an additional $25,000 in costs. “This is the first ever decision of the European Court of Human Rights which concerns freedom of assembly in Russia. It guarantees everyone freedom of expression without special permission,” said Moscow Pride president Nikolai Alexeyev. [JMG]

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