Ocelopotamus

Yesterday Russian homophobes made good on their threat to physically attack gay pride demonstrators in Moscow this year, as they did last year. The haters, who included contingents of nationalists and Russian Orthodox extremists, punched and kicked gay participants, and some wore surgeon’s masks, which they claimed was an attempt to protect them from the “gay disease.”

“We are defending our rights,” said a young gay man named Alexey, with blood pouring from his nose after he was beaten up by a man screaming “homosexuals are perverts” opposite the mayor’s office. His attacker was detained.

Gay demonstrators were trying to present a petition to Moscow’s mayor for the right to hold a gay pride parade, which the mayer has banned. Two parliamentarians from other European nations participated in the protest, as well as British activist Peter Tatchell and Right Said Fred singer Richard Fairbrass, both of whom were punched and kicked. Fairbrass wound up with a bloody face, and then was arrested by riot policemen, apparently for the crime of getting his face in the way of a basher’s fist.

Approximately 30 gay activists were arrested by Moscow police.

Scott Long from Human Rights Watch, who was there to observe, said:

“It is very conspicuous when people are arrested in front of the mayor’s office when they were doing nothing other than trying to present a peaceful petition.”

In the past I’ve sometimes criticized what a tame and corporatized affair Chicago’s gay pride parade has become over the years. What’s going on in Moscow supplies a useful perspective, and makes me appreciate what we have.

UK Gay News has a very detailed account of the day’s events.