Russian Gays Hold First Authorized Demonstration
A street vendor sells former Soviet Union military uniforms and gifts in St. Petersburg this week. A small group of Russian homosexuals held what was billed as Russia's first authorised demonstration of its type in St. Petersburg onb Saturday.
AFP - A small group of Russian homosexuals held what was billed as the first authorised demonstration of its type in the country Saturday, despite provocations from counter-protesters who threw eggs.
Around a dozen people gathered in Russia's second city St Petersburg holding signs calling for greater tolerance of homosexuality and improved human rights, according to an AFP reporter.
"The fact that this demonstration was authorised is a step forward for us and for all of democratic Russia," said Maria Efremenkova, one of the organisers.
The group was outnumbered by counter-protesters and were guarded by police.
Counter-protesters included old ladies and skinheads, some of whom threw eggs and shouted insults.
Russian authorities have regularly banned gay demonstrations, particularly in Moscow, where former mayor Yuri Luzhkov said homosexuality was "satanic".
www.france24.com
Around a dozen people gathered in Russia's second city St Petersburg holding signs calling for greater tolerance of homosexuality and improved human rights, according to an AFP reporter.
"The fact that this demonstration was authorised is a step forward for us and for all of democratic Russia," said Maria Efremenkova, one of the organisers.
The group was outnumbered by counter-protesters and were guarded by police.
Counter-protesters included old ladies and skinheads, some of whom threw eggs and shouted insults.
Russian authorities have regularly banned gay demonstrations, particularly in Moscow, where former mayor Yuri Luzhkov said homosexuality was "satanic".
www.france24.com
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