Russia to Gays: Get Back into the Closet

Being gay is not supposed to be a crime in Russia. Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1993; six years later, the law that sent gays and lesbians to psychiatric wards was annulled. But Russia would still rather have its homosexual citizenry invisible — and silent. Nikolai Alexeyev knows that very well. He's just been released from jail for trying to organize a gay-rights demonstration in Moscow.

At the same time, an anti-gay demonstration sanctioned by Moscow's government was taking place near a metro station in the central part of the Russian capital. Protesters held up signs saying, "Moscow is not Sodom." Vladimir Terechenko, a refrigerator repairman, said he tells his sons repeatedly that if they come out as homosexuals he will kill them. "Homosexuality is the end of civilization. They are pale, they are sickly, and they smell," he said. He echoes the opinions of Luzhkov, who has said homosexuality is a disease that needs to be treated, has called gays satanic and has vowed that there will never be a gay parade in Moscow. Despite the violent beliefs and the hateful messages of the anti-gay protesters, they were left untouched by Russian riot police, who sat meekly in their vans during the demonstration.

Not so at Alexeyev's march. There, an estimated 30 protesters unwrapped rainbow banners and chanted for less than half a minute before Moscow riot police rounded up and arrested everyone involved. Alexeyev, who came to the parade accompanied by a man in a bride's dress, was swiftly carried off by riot police. One woman, who was surrounded by cameras, was grabbed by riot police as she was giving interviews, her shirt torn on the way to the police bus. Peter Tatchell, a British gay-rights activist, flew to Moscow for the event. He was speaking to reporters before he too was arrested. "This shows Russian people are not free," he told reporters.

Full Article Here

Haha i'm sorry that title is clever, and borderline hilarious. On topic though this is a very very interesting thing going on in Russia ... just imagine if the United States, Or Europe? were like this towards the gays/lesbians ...

what are your thoughts?

everyone or country has the right to opinion how ever i dont think gays should be discredited, i feel that many people become or say there gay because of the attention or fashion.

This comment might be wrong but from what i gather in the media and normal life being gay is like a fashion its cool to be gay now days.

would anyone agree with my comment or disagree.

Dont get me wrong i like gay people but i dont understand why theres loads of people coming out gay than say 10 years ago. is it our time we live in or just that fact its ok to be open about it now ?

"Gays are satanic"....? Dude, ok, seriously, not cool. It has been found that there is a homosexual gene in a homosexual person. Gay isn't a choice, they are born this way. Don't chastize them/ deny them rights. They are still people too. And haven't you noticed how it is becoming an increasing fassion to use homosexuals/lesbians as scapegoats?

If same sex marrage were legalised throughout the world permenetly, it could fix a big chunk of the economy. "How" you ask? Just think of how many same sex couples are waiting to get married? All the money spent on the weddings would be phenominal.

reply to post by thecrow001


It's because they're no longer being repressed by idiotic and hateful views, such as what you've just read about in Russia. It's not a fashion, or a lifestyle, it's who they are. So, now you know

o right i see your point, i thought i was ask instead of having a opinion on what i did not understand,

Thanks

reply to post by thecrow001


The reason there are more gays coming out is because it's become ok now, 10 years ago people were still getting ridiculed and killed over stupid things like homosexuality.

People feel more safe in 2009, there is more support for the community.

I myself am gay, and have been out for a couple of decades now, but it wasn't easy being gay in the 80's and even in the 90's it was tough.

I think everybody has the right to like or dislike at will, but to put peole down is the problem the Russian Government has.

~Keeper

reply to post by tothetenthpower


ok thanks for telling me and informing me. who knows russia may just need time to change their minds every country has done, they might need more time

reply to post by thecrow001


Well Russia still is a relatively "young" nation. It only become Russia after the cold war when the Soviet Union was disbanded. They still haven't changed completely over from the old monarch/totalitarian way of thinking to the democractic way of thinking.

As all things it will come in time.

~Keeper

reply to post by The Killah29


Actually there's no scientific research that says there's a gay gene. Show us a source that actually backs that up.

Gay people are just simply confused, and they want attention.

Hopefully the U.S. can set a better example for Russia to follow. I think of discrimination of gays as being no different to discrimination of blacks not so long ago in the U.S. Such a tough fight. Is it ok to refer to lesbians as gays? I am not sure what is the politically correct word. Is homosexual better?

IMO Homosexual is the least offensive. Homo is what like homogeneous? I am not sure lol. Gay used to mean happy. That doesn't seem so offensive either.

I think if I was gay I would just want to be referred to as a human being. Who cares about sexual preference? It would not affect my friendship with someone.

What does Russia have to say about the Transgendered community? I take it they treat them the same as gays?

I think that the biggest problem people have with gays getting married is the subject of them raising children.

People are so worried about a kid being embarrassed about having two Dad's or two Mom's. People are so worried that a child raised by gay parents will be more inclined to be gay. I think a HUGE misconception people have is thinking that gay people want to molest kids. With what a 50%+ divorce rate in the U.S. maybe we should be less worried about gays getting married and raising children and more concerned about STRAIGHT people getting married and having kids.

Crap it is already 2009 and people cannot get past this. This is the stupid kind of crap that is preventing me from getting to explore space in a personal space vehicle.