Russian LGBTQ+ solidarity demo to take place in Brighton
For press information email beth@bethgranter.com or call 07976846385
For immediate release
25 November 2013
A
demonstration of solidarity with LGBTQ+ people in Russia is planned to
take place on Saturday 30th November 2013 in Brighton. "To Russia with
Love, Brighton" starts at 12 Noon at New Steine Gardens off St James' St, by the HIV memorial.
Organised by members of local PCS and Unite unions,
and members of the Brighton and Hove Socialist Party, the aim is to
raise awareness of the increasing violence and oppression faced by gay,
lesbian, bi, trans, queer and other people in Russia.
In Russia today, gay people and their allies are
under attack: beaten, arrested and killed. New anti-gay laws have
effectively made it illegal to even mention the existence of LGBTQ+
people positively, let alone defend their human rights. Currently being
proposed is a law which would remove custody rights of gay parents of
their own children.
 |
| Young people in Russia demonstrating for LGBTQ+ rights earlier this year. |
Beth Granter, Brighton & Hove Socialist Party says,
"
The coming Sochi Olympics puts the world spotlight on Russia and
international protests are showing mass opposition to Putin's homophobic
government. The 'Russian Section 28' is fuelling a rising tide of
violence. The laws must be challenged! Here in the UK we ask our own
government to defend human rights worldwide and tell Putin to stop
turning back the clock.
As a city which values its own diversity, it's
important for the people of Brighton to show our solidarity with LGBTQ+
people around the world."
Over 100 people are expected to gather on Saturday
where speeches will be heard from human rights campaigner Peter
Tatchell, local 'My Genderation' documentary filmmaker Raphael Francis
Fox, Russian LGBT activist Ksenia Zhivago and local Green Party
Councillor Phelim McCafferty. The event is also supported by the Rainbow
Association (Moscow-based LGBT activist group), March for Equality
(LGBT and women’s rights campaign), Russian LGBT Sport Federation,
Committee for a Workers’ International (Russia), Left Socialist Action
and the Pussy Riot Support Group.
 |
| 3 September - Whitehall, London - A demonstration was held opposite Downing Street, to protest Vladimir Putin's signing into law the prohibition of 'promotion' of homosexuality in Russia. The protest was also attended by human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, and TV presenter and writer Paul O'Grady. |
For more information see the Facebook event at http://bit.ly/russiademo
For a map of the event location see http://bit.ly/russiademomap
Black and white photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/
Colour photo credit: Aleksey Vinogradov
