IDAHOTB » Russia

Russia – IDAHOTB 2018 Country Page

Joel Bedos — Wed, 16 May 2018 17:30:47 +0000

There are far too many events worldwide for us to be able to report on them all. Also, for security reasons many events cannot be announced ahead of time.

We’re listing in our pages the events which were directly brought to our attention

IDAHOT RALLY IN ST. PETERSBURG TAKES PLACE DESPITE BANS

“Coming Out” LGBT* group organized its anniversary 10th IDAHOT rally in St. Petersburg, Russia, under the slogan “Different. Equal. Together”, the Russian take on the international version “Alliances for Solidarity.” 150 participants took part, who had to be brought by buses, for reasons of safety. There were speeches, music, and the traditional balloons of all colors, including black (dedicated to LGBT* of Chechnya).

For an external observer, the action seemed peaceful and innocent, but behind the scenes, it involved working with 7 different regions of the city: informing their administrations, receiving “bans”, challenging them in courts, negotiating with the police and the city ombudsman. The rally site was changed several times, last time one hour before the event, after we learned that 200 kids were brought to the site we announced, for an event aimed at “propaganda of healthy lifestyle,” and the police told us in no uncertain terms that rally participants would be detained.

Our rally site was a “hyde park” of one of the “sleeper neighborhoods” of the city (since our favorite central location Marsovo Field is no longer available by law). The police, however, seemed unaware of the law regulating “hyde parks,” and while everyone was celebrating, our lawyer was explaining the law to a group of riot police in full gear. Thanks to her efforts, instead of detentions we were provided with protection.

The number of participants was modest compared to western prides, and the location was not the beautiful center of the city. But, for almost an hour, the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia was celebrated under open St. Petersburg skies.Because of the criminal ignorance of our government and society, millions of Russian citizens are today without rights, support, or protection. Any sexual orientation that differs from heterosexual can form basis for discriminatory legislation, threats, psychological and physical violence on the streets and in families, inhumane torture, and even murder of LGBT people in the North Caucasus. As the space for freedoms shrinks around us, the chance to come out in the open and speak out about what’s important becomes all the more meaningful for LGBT* people, and for all those who care about justice, equality, and humanness in Russia.

Samara

Volunteers from Samara LGBT movement Avers (Russia) and from Pride St Louise (USA) will meet together in 19 of May. Samara and St. Louis are twin cities. In 2018, we managed to establish communication, make a cultural exchange project between the two countries. We are proud that on this day we, people from two different sides of the world, will be together.
Our volunteers, including trans-activists, feminists, experts, HIV activists, both MSM and bisexuals, will continue to strengthen the links between their communities in joint social theater projects, the community center projects and photo-video – exhibitions that will be held this year in Samara.
And on May 19, we will go to nature and raise our solidarity, our community and celebrate IDAHOT.

Reporting from Moscow

“Many Russian cities organized different amazing, creative and challenging events throughout the whole country. There have been puzzles in squares, paintings in open spaces, flash mobs, demonstrations, pickets and other ways to express the need for solidarity in the Russian society.

In Moscow two different events took place, consecutively. A group of activists organized a flash mob in front of the High School of Economics main building. The university is known to be relatively tolerant towards LGBT* because of its internationality. We intended to inform the young students of the discrimination and oppression that takes place every day and raise their awareness towards this problem.

In turns, we stood with a single picket and other participants gave leaflets to students and passer-by’s explaining what we do today. We decided to make the leaflets look like a health certificates on one side, stating that being gay, bi or pan is not an illness. On the other side we presented a short information about the meaning of that day, referring to the 17th may, 1990.

We were incredibly surprised that the majority of the people we talked to reacted positively or at least neutrally to our message. Many of the students even encouraged us to continue our work and wished us luck. Some even asked how they could help to change the situation. It was an unexpected but a very encouraging outcome of our event. We had to leave after an hour because the universities security guard called the police. Not because we were loud or breaking any laws but because we had rainbow-posters and talked openly about our rights. But nevertheless, we stayed in high spirits knowing that our doing was not meaningless.

Right after that the international festival Side By Side held its opening ceremony. It was a full house. The opening movie was chosen be “Tom of Finland” whose illustrations of outgoing and rugged homosexuals became a cult in the gay subculture. After the movie a discussion was held with the protagonist of this film- Pekka Strang.

To organize all these and the following events dedicated to IDAHOT celebration, several LGBT* organizations from Moscow allied to spread the need for solidarity, acceptance and understanding in Russia’s society. Together we can achieve our goal and help people understand that all love is equal.”

300 LGBT CELEBRATED IDAHOT UNDER OPEN ST. PETERSBURG SKIES

Joel Bedos — Thu, 18 May 2017 05:19:08 +0000

Report from LGBT organisation Coming Out Saint Petersburg.

Today, the unexpected happened! Over 300 LGBT people and allies celebrated the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia on Marsovo pole, the picturesque field in the center of Saint Petersburg; unimpeded, and under police protection. This became the first successful LGBT public rally since at least the beginning of 2016, when the situation with freedom of assembly for LGBT people sharply deteriorated.

And yet, this year especially wev feared a completely opposite scenario. In sharp contrast to 2014-2015, beginning in the early 2016, every attempt at rallying with rainbow insignia in St. Petersburg was curtailed, participants detained. For IDAHO 2016, Coming Out applied 12 times to receive permission to rally, 12 denials received from the city administration, each time with a clearly made-up excuse. The administration’s intent was clear – to not allow us to demonstrate. The courts, on their part, interpreted the administration’s lack of permission as “not a ban”, therefore “not preventing organizers from realizing their rights”. Last but not least, the police would use the administration’s position to detain rally participants unlawfully.

This year, we decided to take this game of cat-and-mouse with the city administration, the police, and the courts to its logical conclusion. We applied for permission (got denied), went to court (court said – not a ban), and then sent the court’s decision to the police, called them, faxed them, asked them for meetings, called the ombudsman of Saint Petersburg and asked him to call the police, called them again, etc., throughout the two weeks up until the day of the rally.

And then a miracle happened! Despite the fact that there was a “mass cultural and sports event”, which the city administration organized specifically at the exact spot we were planning to use, despite the fact that we didn’t have a permission slip from the administration to hold the rally, the police was there to protect, and not detain. Moreover, at a certain point during the rally, two counter-protesters from the “National Liberation Мovement” who attempted to interfere with the speeches by blasting loud music and singing patriotic songs, were thwarted by the police.

Under the slogan “Time to speak!”, we spoke about the right to life and how silencing a whole group of people can lead to mass incarceration, torture, and murder, about the importance of self- advocacy and empowering each and every member of the vulnerable communities, about health and self-care. Igor Kochetkov of the Russian LGBT Network, Johnny Dzhibladze of Coming Out, Alexey Sergeev of the Alliance of Straights and LGBT for Equality, and Yelena Kostyuchenko of the “Novaya Gazeta” newspaper addressed the participants. The rally went to the fullest extent of what was planned, and 300 LGBT people today had a chance to openly rally for their rights in their city.

Yosef Kristian, this year’s rally’s coordinator: “It’s difficult to draw any conclusions in our context, when so much depends on the political will of those in power. But one thing I feel today for sure – we have to stubbornly continue doing what we’re doing, despite setbacks and one day. Our strategy is “constant dripping wears away a stone,” and today a little chip of that stone fell off.”

www.comingoutspb.com

IDAHOT 2017 country page: Russia

IDAHO — Mon, 15 May 2017 10:35:21 +0000

Report from Russian LGBT Network

RAINBOW FLASHMOBS, FILM SCREENINGS, AND A “RALLY IN A BOX”: THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA, BIPHOBIA AND TRANSPHOBIA 2017 IN RUSSIA

Every year on the May 17 people all over the world celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOT). This is one of the most important days for the LGBT community. On May 17, 1990, the World Health Organization (WHO) excluded homosexuality from the international classification of diseases. This marked an immense step towards equality. Since 2004, people celebrate this day worldwide to draw attention to issues of discrimination and violence against LGBT people. This year, a variety of events dedicated to honoring May 17 happened in more than 130 countries, including those 37 countries in which same-sex sexual relations are prohibited by law.

In Russia to salute the IDAHOT activists organize a Rainbow Flashmob: an event when people launch rainbow-colored balloons into the air. This year LGBT activists organized events and flashmobs in Arkhangelsk, Krasnodar, Samara, Yekaterinburg, Tyumen, Voronezh, Moscow, and Vladivostok. For activists in Rostov-on-Don, this was the first time they’ve participated in a flash mob. Traditionally, in St. Petersburg, the annual Rainbow flash mob was organized by the LGBT initiative group “Coming out”. Many cities held IDAHOT-related events: meetings, walks, picnics, film screenings and round tables.

The Rainbow Flashmob marathon of 2017 was launched by the initiative group “Rainbow World” from Perm. They held their event on May 14. It was allowed by the city administration and patrolled by the police. Around 30 people joined the celebration. “After the organizers made a speech on the history of the May 17 and wished happy IDAHOT to the LGBT people, the society, and the world, all participants launched rainbow-colored balloons into the sky. The event passed without any complications, it was a very positive, light, and pleasant day, ” activists wrote on their page on VKontakte.

In St. Petersburg, the event was traditionally held on the Field of Mars. According to the information from the LGBT group “Coming out”, more than 400 people joined the event. Among the speakers of the Rainbow flash mob 2017 were the journalist of the “Novaya Gazeta” Elena Kostyuchenko, the HIV-activist Maria Godlevskaya, the trans*queer activist Johnny Dzhibladze and the member of the Alliance of Heterosexuals and LGBT for Equality Alexei Sergeev. The first speaker a member of the Council of the Russian LGBT Network Igor Kochetkov. Kochetkov’s speech was dedicated to the problem of silencing LGBT-related issues. He also touched upon the recent events in Chechnya (reference). He encouraged those who came to the Field of Mars “not to be afraid and not to be silent.” After all the speeches ended, the activist of the Parents Club Nina Sozaeva gave a countdown, and everyone present launched rainbow-colored balloons into the sky.

Activists of the Moscow Community Center also hosted a Rainbow flashmob. Flashmob was supposed to be held near the metro station “Ulitsa 1905 goda”, but the Moscow police asked the activists to leave the area. The activists agreed and left with a bundle of rainbow balloons and leaflets, heading towards the metro station “Barrikadnaya”. As Zlata Semyonova commented on the issue, the participants actually hosted a spontaneous March for Equality. “We were asked to leave and, well, we marched! It turned into a mini pride parade! “

In Samara, the Rainbow Flashmob has turned into a creative way of fighting the system.The city administration did not allow the action, one of the activists of the LGBT organization “Avers” held a solitary picket. “The administration of the city refused to coordinate the flashmob twice, and on Saturday Ganner conducted a solitary picket in the city center, on the main pedestrian street of Samara.
Since the administration offered us to hold a public event “in a closed room or territory, the entrance to which will be limited to minors”, he decided to hold the action inside the cardboard box (territory). Outside the box, he put “18+” stickers and and wrote: “This is a territory, the entrance to which is restricted for minors”. He also put copies of the rejection letter from Samara administration.
Ganner warned the passerby’s that LGBT action is taking place inside the box. He also told that there should be 50 people inside a box. He also offered to “rent” a box to those people who also had their right to held public events on the street stripped away from them, just like from the LGBT people. Some people wondered why it is impossible to launch balloons and argued that more people should be allowed into the.”
Vera Kruzhkina, activist of the Samara LGBT organization “Avers”

In the evening of May 17 activists from Yekaterinburg gathered in the community center to watch the movie “Save Me” (directed by Robert Kari). The protagonist of the film, a young man named Mark after another drug overdose gets into the Christian commune, where people are trying to cure him of homosexuality. Mark has to decide how to combine love and faith. The screening was followed by a discussion.

In Voronezh, activists also gathered to launch the rainbow balloons into the sky despite the bad weather. “The weather was disgusting, we were nearly blown away by the wind. An hour before the launch, it was raining with hail, it was cold. But, nevertheless, we gathered. There were 11 people. We discussed the importance of the problem, made a wish, and released the balloons. By the time of the launch, the rain had stopped, the clouds were gone, and the balloons with our wishes flew into the clear blue sky, into a bright future.” Nikolay Pravdivets, head of the Voronezh branch of the Russian LGBT network.

On May 21, the Rainbow House Community Center together with the Tyumen Regional Branch of the Russian LGBT Network held an annual Rainbow flashmob. “The action went smoothly after we launched the balloons everyone went to the community center to drink tea with cookies and to play board games.” The activists also hosted an educational seminar “Sexual orientation and gender identity” on the 17th of May 17 activists from Tyumen wrote on their page Vkontakte. Each participant got a commemorative wooden badge “May 17”.

In Vladivostok on May 19 activists launched balloons into the sky and watched the movie “But I am a Cheerleader” (directed by Jamie Babit). Activists noted that hosting a Rainbow flashmob becomes more and more difficult than in previous years, due to pressure from the city authorities. This year, Flashmob turned out to be quite closed, however in no way less important.

LGBT organization “Rakurs” from Arkhangelsk held its Rainbow flash mob on the 17th of May. Activists gathered on the embankment and released the balloons to fly over the Dvina river.

On May 20, activists of the LGBT Movement “Revers” held Rainbow flashmobs in Krasnodar and Rostov-on-Don.The action expressed support of both the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia and the International Day for Equality of Families. “Flashmobs were fun and joyful In Krasnodar, the action has already become a tradition for the local LGBT community as this is the third annual flashmob. For activists in Rostov-on-Don, it was the first flashmob and it was nice to see both LGBT people and their families that among our activists,” said one of the Revers’s activists. There were holiday picnics in each city.

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Report from Coming out St Petersburg : 300 LGBT CELEBRATED IDAHOT UNDER OPEN ST. PETERSBURG SKIES

Today, the unexpected happened! Over 300 LGBT people and allies celebrated the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia on Marsovo pole, the picturesque field in the center of Saint Petersburg; unimpeded, and under police protection. This became the first successful LGBT public rally since at least the beginning of 2016, when the situation with freedom of assembly for LGBT people sharply deteriorated.

And yet, this year especially wev feared a completely opposite scenario. In sharp contrast to 2014-2015, beginning in the early 2016, every attempt at rallying with rainbow insignia in St. Petersburg was curtailed, participants detained. For IDAHO 2016, Coming Out applied 12 times to receive permission to rally, 12 denials received from the city administration, each time with a clearly made-up excuse. The administration’s intent was clear – to not allow us to demonstrate. The courts, on their part, interpreted the administration’s lack of permission as “not a ban”, therefore “not preventing organizers from realizing their rights”. Last but not least, the police would use the administration’s position to detain rally participants unlawfully.

This year, we decided to take this game of cat-and-mouse with the city administration, the police, and the courts to its logical conclusion. We applied for permission (got denied), went to court (court said – not a ban), and then sent the court’s decision to the police, called them, faxed them, asked them for meetings, called the ombudsman of Saint Petersburg and asked him to call the police, called them again, etc., throughout the two weeks up until the day of the rally.

And then a miracle happened! Despite the fact that there was a “mass cultural and sports event”, which the city administration organized specifically at the exact spot we were planning to use, despite the fact that we didn’t have a permission slip from the administration to hold the rally, the police was there to protect, and not detain. Moreover, at a certain point during the rally, two counter-protesters from the “National Liberation Мovement” who attempted to interfere with the speeches by blasting loud music and singing patriotic songs, were thwarted by the police.

Under the slogan “Time to speak!”, we spoke about the right to life and how silencing a whole group of people can lead to mass incarceration, torture, and murder, about the importance of self- advocacy and empowering each and every member of the vulnerable communities, about health and self-care. Igor Kochetkov of the Russian LGBT Network, Johnny Dzhibladze of Coming Out, Alexey Sergeev of the Alliance of Straights and LGBT for Equality, and Yelena Kostyuchenko of the “Novaya Gazeta” newspaper addressed the participants. The rally went to the fullest extent of what was planned, and 300 LGBT people today had a chance to openly rally for their rights in their city.

Yosef Kristian, this year’s rally’s coordinator: “It’s difficult to draw any conclusions in our context, when so much depends on the political will of those in power. But one thing I feel today for sure – we have to stubbornly continue doing what we’re doing, despite setbacks and one day. Our strategy is “constant dripping wears away a stone,” and today a little chip of that stone fell off.”

IDAHOT Report 2016: Russia

IDAHO — Mon, 23 May 2016 12:12:48 +0000

Activists and campaigners in Russia bravely held a handful of small events across the country, despite the threat of persecution from state and non-state groups.

In Syktyvar (Komi Republic), local LGBT campaigners held the city’s first IDAHOT event for the local communit. The closed-doors event celebrated diversity and provided a valuable outlet for local LGBTI individuals.

In St Petersburg, activists from ‘Coming Out’ held their eighth event to mark IDAHOT 2016. The event featured more than 40 activists from a number of groups, as well as members of the Russian LGBT Film Festibal, LGBT Network and the Alliance of Straights and LGBT For Family. The secret event featured dialogues and workshops with a focus on LGBT, feminist and trans equality, and also included a rainbow flashmob, during which balloons were released outside the city’s iconic St. Isaac’s Cathedral.

As the home of Russia’s now infamous anti-LGBT ‘propaganda law’ activists were keen to welcome campaigners from across the region. The event was a success and was a great opportunity for essential networking and solidarity.

Despite ban, censorship and violence, LGBT community in Russia speaks up for IDAHOT

Joel Bedos — Tue, 17 May 2016 12:34:41 +0000

From the organisers:

ST. PETERSBURG CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA AND TRANSPHOBIA

Today, May 17, 2016, rainbow balloons were released into the air above St. Isaac’s Cathedral to celebrate the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia in St. Petersburg, Russia.

For the eighth year, “Coming Out” LGBT group organizes celebration of IDAHOT, and throughout these years, the situation with freedom of assembly and expression for LGBT people in St. Petersburg changed from dire, to improved, to bad again.

In 2014 and 2015, the IDAHOT rally took place under full police protection, with the number of participants growing from 20 in 2009 to 350 in 2015, making it the biggest LGBT rally in Russia. May 1 demonstration of recent years looked like a pride parade down the central Nevsky prospect, with the “Rainbow column” numbering hundreds of activists and allies.

This year, the situation sharply deteriorated. During May Day March, exclusively activists with rainbow insignia were detained for “drawing attention to… human rights for gender minorities with homosexual orientation…”, and for the first time, “Coming Out”’s petition to organize the rally on Marsovo Field (the “hyde park” of St. Petersburg) was denied. Among the reasons for denial, the “propaganda of homosexuality” law was cited.

Today, over 40 activists from different groups and organizations – “Coming Out”, Side by Side LGBT film festival, Russian LGBT Network, Alliance of Straights and LGBT for Equality, Positive Dialogue, feminist and trans* activists, and many others – came out to launch the traditional rainbow balloons in front of St. Isaac’sCathedral and the City General Assembly, where the infamous “propaganda law” was adopted.

This action was not officially authorized, nor openly announced, but it allowed us to show the LGBT communities that we are not silenced, as bystanders joined our action and the media picked up our rainbow colors. The International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia remains one of the most important days to tell our society that we exist, and despite the changing situation, LGBT communities of Russia will always find ways to be heard.

Biggest ever LGBT public demonstration in Russia for IDAHOT

Joel Bedos — Sun, 17 May 2015 13:07:31 +0000

From organisers Coming Out St Petersburg:

See original post HERE

Over 350 people celebrated IDAHO today in the center of St. Petersburg on Marsovo Pole, this event becoming the largest LGBT rally as of today in Russia. Representatives of “Coming Out”, the Russian LGBT Network, Side by Side LGBT festival, the Youth Human Rights Group, and the Center for Development of Democracy and Human Rights spoke of the importance of solidarity within civil society, support of vulnerable groups, and the growing strength of the LGBT movement in our common struggle for peace and human rights in Russia.

Svetlana Zakharova, the Russian LGBT Network: “Today we gathered here, on Marsovo Pole – so brave, so diverse, so beautiful. And many more brave and beautiful people join actions all over Russia, to show that we exist and that we are not afraid.”

Yuri Dzhibladze, president of the Center for Development of Democracy and Human Rights: “More and more people outside of LGBT community understand that homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of xenophobia are a problem of the entire society. In the last several years, the movement for human rights of LGBT people became an important part of the wider human rights movement in Russia, and the struggle against violence and discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity has become mainstream human rights. … Solidarity and mutual support – this is our main answer to hatred, intolerance, and violence.”

After the speeches, rainbow balloons were released into the St. Petersburg skies. Participants were safely escorted into the buses and to the closest metro station by the police and the LGBT group Stop Hate, working together.

Polina Andrianova, “Coming Out” activist: “The collaboration with the St. Petersburg ombudsman institution and the attitude of the police were beyond reproach. If last year the police did their job but their homophobia was clear, this year we felt we had a true ally. Many factors could play a role in the improving attitudes, but one of them must be the continued focus of LGBT activists on constructive collaboration and dialogue with wider society.”

Today’s IDAHO celebrations are planned in 14 cities of Russia.

IDAHO’s partners: “Stop Hate”, United Group for Public Monitoring (ОГОН), the Russian LGBT Network, Coalition for Civil Equality “Together”, “Side by Side” LGBT film festival, and independent LGBT activists – for informational and organizational support.

IDAHOT Events 2015: Rainbow Flashmobs, Free hugs and more in Russia

IDAHO — Tue, 12 May 2015 16:03:33 +0000

Despite the current situation, many cities in Russia have seen IDAHOT commemorations organized by most regional branches and collective members of the Russian LGBT Network. The biggest celebration yet took place in St. Petersburg with over 350 participants.

We are still busy collecting information on this year’s IDAHOT activities and are waiting to hear back from activists and event organisers. If you have information to share with us, please write us at contact@dayagainsthomophobia.org

In Russia, Rainbow flashmobs and other events took place in 16 cities – in Arkhangelsk, Voronezh, Ekaterinburg, Krasnodar, Moscow, Nakhodka, Novosibirsk, Murmansk, Samara, St. Petersburg, Omsk, Perm, Tolyatti, Tomsk, Tyumen and Khabarovsk. Most rallies took place without serious incidents.

The first flashmobs in Russia went in the Far East, in Nakhodka and Khabarovsk. And while in Nakhodka the event passed without any disturbances, the organizer of the Rainbow flashmob in Khabarovsk Alexander Ermoshkin was attacked just before the demonstration. He was seriously injured (unknown person hit him on the head and as a result Ermoshkin lost consciousness), but in spite of that, the balloons were released in 15 parts of Khabarovsk. Later on, Alexander commented on this situation: “They attacked me not because they hate me personally, but because they hate LGBT community”. The activist filed a case with the police and passed forensic investigations. The Russian LGBT Network provides the activist with legal assistance.

“Over 350 people celebrated IDAHO in the center of St. Petersburg on Marsovo Pole, this event becoming the largest LGBT rally as of today in Russia. Representatives of “Coming Out”, the Russian LGBT Network, Side by Side LGBT festival, the Youth Human Rights Group, and the Center for Development of Democracy and Human Rights spoke of the importance of solidarity within civil society, support of vulnerable groups, and the growing strength of the LGBT movement in our common struggle for peace and human rights in Russia”. LGBT initiative group “Coming Out” organized the event.

IDAHOT 2015 St. Petersburg

http://comingoutspb.com/en/en-news/idahot2015_post

In Moscow, the police detained 17 people. As one of the TV channels commented, activists were detained “because of the colorful balloons in their hands”. Initially, slightly less than 100 people gathered in the Ekaterininsky Park. The police tried to convince activists to leave the park, and then started to detain people. They detained not only 17 activists, but also a courier who delivered the balloons. Those activist, who were not arrested went to another place, bought the balloons and held the rally. Around 40 people took part in the flashmob. All the detained people were released later on. The Moscow LGBT organization “Rainbow association” organized the event.

IDAHOT 2015 Krasnodar

In Krasnodar the LGBT organization “Revers” and the regional branch of the Russian LGBT Network organized the Rainbow flashmob. “We held such event for the first time and truly grateful to everyone who joined us. There were more then 30 people”. Tatiana Shirokova, head of the LGBT organization “Revers”.

In Ekaterinburg, the screening of the film “Without men” took place with the support of the International Film Festival Side by Side. Also, the activist joined the international rally and released the colorful balloons.

In Novosibirsk, on May 17, a seminar “Together against xenophobia” and the event called “New generation” took place. The events were organized to attract new people to the movement and to tell them what is done by now and what is to be done. The Novosibirsk regional branch of the Russian LGBT Network and Transgender project «T9 NSK» organized the events.

In Tomsk, the rally was not authorized by the administration; it took place in the local “Hyde Park”. However, as one of the activists pointed out, the police officers were there to keep the activists safe and everything passed smoothly.

Last year 14 people were detained during the Rainbow flashmob in Perm. This year, the administration of the city issued a permission for this event. Despite the fact, that the administration refused to send the police to protect the activists, around 40 people gathered for the Rainbow flashmob. The event took place without any incidents.

IDAHOT Report 2014: Russian Federation

IDAHO — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 17:00:56 +0000

Russian Federation

Russian LGBT activists and allies in 16 cities took action for the IDAHOT 2014 despite considerable social and legal pressure, attacks and threats from opponents. 15 people were detained on May 17, all of whom are now released (June 4, 2014). Two actions were targeted by neo-nazi groups. No serious injuries occurred this year and local groups underscored the bravery and resistant spirit of LGBT communities in the country.

In most Russian cities rainbow flashmob events (coloured balloon releases) went quite well, with a considerable 150 people showing up in St. Petersburg. However, during or because of the flashmobs the police detained activists from Moscow, Murmansk, Perm and Vladimir. Two people in Moscow, 1 person in Murmansk, 11 people in Perm and 1 person in Vladimir were detained on May 17. They are now all released.

While most events in the 16 cities went without any incidents, 4 of these cities witnessed arrests. The organizer of a Rainbow flashmob event in Murmansk, Violetta Grudina, was detained before the event actually started. She was accused of “propaganda of homosexuality”. The police stated that by publishing information about LGBT events in the social network (Vkontakte), she “committed propaganda of homosexuality among minors”.

Russia, image by St Petersburg Times

On May 17 in Perm, several members of the group LGBT-Perm were also detained. An activist of another LGBT group (Raduzhniy dom), Julia Babintseva, who wasn’t detained on May 17th, was not charged with anything yet, however, she got a call from the police. Moreover, representatives of the police visited her parents. All this situation strangely resembles the situation in Samara, where after the Day of Silence LGBT activists started to get calls and then charges, all happening as a form of systematic intimidation.

The National articulation group, Russian LGBT-Network, provided legal support to Violetta Grudina and Julia Babintseva. The Chairman of the Network, Igor Kochetkov, states that “Solidarity was one of the main messages of the May 17th this year and we are ready to support everyone who suffers because of the unlawful actions of the police”.

Further Information

Russian LGBT Network:Police getting more and more interested in the activity of LGBT activists.
To see photos from the rainbow flashmob event in St. Petersburg, organized by “Coming Out” Organization: click here.

Russia will see IDAHOT activities in various cities

IDAHO — Mon, 05 May 2014 10:19:56 +0000

Various actions are anticipated in 11 different Russian cities.

Photo: Balloons are released on May 17, 2013

Many activists support the traditional Rainbow flashmob and so far, activists from different regions demonstrated a strong desire to realise one. In some regions LGBT activists also plan to have dance flashmob, street-art projects, one-person pickets and pillow-fight.

The activities want to raise awareness of existing homophobia and transphobia and also highlight the lives of LGBT people in smaller towns in the countryside.

To find some information about activities in St. Petersburg, you can visit this website.

SOCHI Winter Olympic Games: What are we Celebrating?

IDAHO — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 14:34:47 +0000

The Olympic Games were initiated to be a beacon of friendship, fair play, hard work and justice amongst nations – a testimony of what is best in human nature.

Image: “Sochi 2014″ by Christopher Striebly

The $37Bn budget of the SOCHI games, its immense corruption, military security, systematic breaches of freedoms of expression and right to information, and the ongoing persecution of human rights defenders tells us a very different story.

The Olympic Games seem to have become, like so much of the rest of the world, a product to be sold. Respect for the founding values seems to be last on the mind of those who attribute decisions of location, who sign sponsorship deals, who pay for distribution rights.

Human rights activists look more than ever like tiny Davids against the Goliath of money. Amongst them, LGBT activists stand incredibly brave, in the face of police persecution and incredible levels of social stigma.

More than ever, it is the duty of those who have the right to speak to do so. Many protests have taken place recently around the world. Many of us participated in these events, and are proud we did. This mobilisation did have an impact, and Putin’s regime has attracted global critique and shame.

It will probably not affect the financial outcomes of the Games, which seems to be all that matters, nor the overall popularity of Putin, with his paternalistic macho persona.

But it signals that there are, across the world, in all countries, in the hearts of people, other values but the power of violence, intimidation and bling. Values that speak of friendship, fair play, solidarity and peace.

Values that sound truly Olympic.