Russian lesbian couple go to court over right to marry
A lesbian couple in Russia have accused the authorities of using “any excuse” to obstruct their legal case for gay marriage.
The court postponed hearing a complaint from the gay couple over a refusal to let them marry.
Judge Natalya Zhuravlyova postponed the hearing yesterday claiming the couple had failed to turn up.
Irina Fedotova-Fet and Irina Shipitko arrived a few minutes after the end of the hearing ended and said they had been held up in traffic.
They then kissed for the photographers who were in court to cover their case.
“There is enough homophobia in this country. We are no different from any other couple,” Ms Shipitko said.
Their lawyer told the court that the way the trial was conducted was a disgrace.
The couple plan to marry in Canada later this year.
They tried to register to marry in May but were turned away – the court case is about that refusal.
