Struggle for Gay Rights Continues in St. Petersburg
The anti-gay draft law, prohibiting the so-called propaganda of "sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderism" as well as pedophilia to minors, passed in the second reading today. 5 activists protesting in front of city parliament were arrested and are still being detained.
St. Petersburg, the heart of grassroots LGBT movement, is home of several strong LGBT organizations, including LGBT organization Coming Out, the Russian LGBT Network, and Side by Side LGBT film festival. Similar laws were already implemented in 2006 in Ryazan, in Arkhangelsk in September 2011 and in December of 2011 in Kostroma region. If passed in St. Petersburg, this measure could next be introduced in State Duma, the federal parliament.
If this law is passed, Russian LGBT will live in fear of punishment just for being open about sexual orientation in their social environment. It paves the way to legalized discrimination, justifies violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Moreover, under the pretense of protecting minors, this law in fact will lead to further isolation and greater number of suicides by homosexual adolescents in a country that is already leading in the numbers of teenage suicides.
Besides laying the ground for legalized harassment and violations of human rights of LGBT, Russia is blatantly ignoring its federal law, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention for Human Rights, the Council of Europe Recommendations and other decrees, as well as opinions of numerous Russian and international experts – lawyers, psychiatrists, sociologists – who point out the complete lack of scientific evidence or sociological data behind its assumptions.
LGBT activists of St. Petersburg are not losing hope and are continuing to fight for their rights and dignity. Ahead are the third, and final, reading, after which the bill has to be signed into law by St. Petersburg governor, Mr. Poltavchenko. LGBT activists, their friends and colleagues, members of Russian and international human rights community and civil society, are continuing to campaign and raise the issue with Mr. Poltavchenko and Russian politicians on the federal level. Thousands of people around the world are asking their foreign officials to speak out (http://allout.org/russia_call). More street protests in Russian and around the world are planned.
We thank you for your continued support in this battle.
.JPG "photo: Maria Kozlovskaya")
Post-release of project Campaign against the homophobic law
Projects
-
Campaign against the homophobic law
LGBT organisation Coming Out initiated a campaign against the homophobic law in St. Petersburg and was joined by Russian LGBT Network and LGBT film festival Side by Side. Join in, too!
-
Advocacy and Lobbying
Advocacy for human rights in the area of gender relations at the municipal level and lobbying for the interests of LGBT community in the municipal and regional governing bodies, as well as increase of the LGBT community's visibility.
-
Coming Out Info
The project comprises a series of educational workshops and seminars for various target groups, including both LGBT and others.
-
Coming Out Cinema
The project consists of film screenings followed by a discussion led by an expert or with participation of special guests. The idea of the program is expressed in the slogan: "See, speak, unite!".
-
Legal Service
Can you say that you live with a sense of security and safety? Do you know your rights? Are you prepared to defend them? If you answered "no" even to one of the questions, our legal service is for you!
-
LGBT Parents
The program LGBT Parents consists of meetings and workshops for LGBT parents and others who are interested in the topic, where issues of reproduction, adoption and parenting are discussed. The program provides a platform for professional, psychological, and peer-to-peer support.
-
International Queer Culture Festival
Founded on the ideas of tolerance and respect for diversity, the Festival provides a platform unifying LGBT community and general society in a common social and cultural space without xenophobia or discrimination.
-
Psychological Service
The program is designed to provide psychological services for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders, as well as their families and friends.
-
Transgender in action
The program is aimed to monitor the needs and concerns of the Transgender community, organizing regular meetings, providing safe space for events, psychological and legal counseling.
-
Community Center
The idea of the Community Center is that the LGBT community of St. Petersburg has its own space.
-
Parents' Club
The program unites parents and friends of LGBT people and LGBT people themselves around the issues of 'coming out' and 'acceptance'
Calendar
Press About Us
No documents found.
For Press
Please enter a search term to begin your search.
Your Contribution to the Future
You care for social justice? You attended the last QueerFest with your friends? Support Coming Out in its work
... read more >>
Gallery
Volunteering
Subscribe
© 2010 St. Petersburg LGBT Organization Coming Out
Use of materials is permitted with the written consent of the authors and a link to the resource.
Made in Kortec
Write: contact@comingoutspb.ru
We in LiveJournal: http://community.livejournal.com/vihod_spb
We in vKontakte: http://vkontakte.ru/club2352211