Moscow warned to allow gay rights protest – or face Eurovision boycott

Posted on May 14, 2009
Filed Under Uncategorized

WHEN Russia took the Eurovision Song Contest crown for the first time last year, the whole country basked in its musical success, promising a show in Moscow for the 2009 finals that would eclipse everything that had gone before.

But only a few days before this weekend’s grand finale, things have turned ugly, with official homophobia and a boycott threat casting a shadow over the entire event.

lready, one Eurovision contestant has said he will walk out of the competition if violence flares at the proposed demonstration.

“If we get to the final and the demonstration is suppressed by force, I will refuse to get on that stage in Moscow,” Gordon, the singer and songwriter from the Dutch group De Toppers, told Dutch television. “If my kind of people are discriminated against in any way, then there is no reason for me to be here; I’ll be on the first plane home.”

Prominent British gay activist Peter Tatchell, who was assaulted and arrested at the demonstration in 2007, has added his weight to the campaign by announcing that he will attend Saturday’s march, despite a ban on him travelling to Russia.

“I am joining the parade to show my support for the courageous Russian gay campaigners,” said Mr Tatchell, who is the human rights spokesperson for the Green Party.

“All year round they risk arrest, imprisonment and queer-bashing attacks. These men and women are absolute heroes. I salute them.” See

Moscow warned to allow gay rights protest – or face Eurovision boycott Scotsman

* Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual