| De: |
"Rachel Jacobson" |
| Sujet: |
Russia: Moscow Mayor Announces Ban on Gay Pride Parades Will Continue, Says Events Contribute to Spread of HIV
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| Envoyé: |
Dec 8th, 2008 - 11:24:31 |
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Global Challenges | Moscow Mayor Announces Ban on Gay Pride Parades Will
Continue, Says Events Contribute to Spread of HIV
[Dec 08, 2008]
Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov on Thursday announced that the city will
continue to ban gay pride parades, saying that the events could contribute
to the spread of HIV, RIA
Novostireports.
Luzhkov said the city has "banned and will continue to forbid this
propaganda by sexual minorities, as they could turn out to be one of the
factors in the spread of HIV infections." He added that "[c]ertain homegrown
democrats believe that sexual minorities can be a primary indicator and
symbol of democracy, but we will forbid the dissemination of these opinions
in the future as well." Luzhkov, who has been mayor of Moscow since 1992,
said although he is aware that criticism for the decision will be directed
at authorities, "each particular society has its own views." RIA
Novostireports that Luzhkov in the past has called gay pride parades
"Satanic" and
said that they will never be allowed in the city (RIA Novosti, 12/4).
Luzhkov's comments have drawn criticism from Russian gay rights advocates,
such as Nikolai Alexeyev, who said the mayor's comments are "contradictory"
and that countries can fight HIV/AIDS more effectively if they have
prominent communities of men who have sex with men, the AP/Boston
Heraldreports
(AP/Boston
Herald, 12/4). Reutersreports
that homosexuality was decriminalized in Russia in 1993, but
"tolerance is not widespread" (Kilner, Reuters, 12/4). In addition to his
comments on gay pride parades, Luzhkov also said that condoms are an
unreliable HIV prevention measure. He said, "Certain manufacturers state
that condoms are reliable protection against AIDS, but modern science has
proven this is untrue" (RIA Novosti, 12/4).
--
Rachel M Jacobson
Program Director
Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS
www.iAIDS.org | www.youthaidscoalition.org
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