LGBTs in Russia March on Labor Day: Solidarity is Stronger Than Repression!

“Many people think that the problems of LGBT people are private issues. But this is not true.”

 

80-100 people marched down the St. Petersburg historical central avenue, with rainbow flags and slogans such as “No to the shameful homophobic law! Let’s stop the hate and discrimination together!” LGBT made part of the larger Democratic column, consisting of various democratic groups and political parties of St. Petersburg.

Despite attempts by the police to ban deployment of rainbow flags at the beginning of the march, activists were able to pass along the entire route with rainbow flags and banners.

Olga Lenkova, LGBT organization Coming Out activist, spoke at the end rally about the importance of solidarity: "Many people think that the problems of LGBT people are private issues. But this is not true. In a society that is ready to discriminate one, no one is safe from discrimination.

  

We are being set against each other by our government, under the guise of concern for the morals of children, and myths about "foreign agents". But I want to remind all of us: Solidarity is stronger than repression!"

“It felt like Pride today on Nevsky prospect!” said one of participants. “Today showed us that open demonstrations by LGBT are possible, despite the ‘homosexual propaganda’ law and other laws clamping down on freedom of assembly and expression.”