Homophobic politician outed on national TV

By Tony Grew • June 22, 2007 - 11:35

Mr Alexeyev claimed that Mr Chuev's gay relationships were well-known in the 1990s before he became a politician, and called him a coward and a liar.

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Gay rights activist Nicolas Alexeyev told a live TV audience yesterday that a member of the Russian State Duma is gay.

Speaking on the talk show K baryeru Mr Alexeyev, who was convicted of a minor offence last month for his role in the banned Mosow Pride march, outed the conservative MP Alexander Chuev.

Mr Chuev is one of the most outspoken opponents of gay rights, and has introduced proposals to the Duma to outlaw the "promotion" of homosexuality and ban "gay propaganda."

Mr Alexeyev claimed that Mr Chuev's gay relationships were well-known in the 1990s before he became a politician, and called him a coward and a liar.

Mr Chuev said that he would sue, and later wrote on his blog that he wanted to punch Mr Alexeyev

"We reached the most important thing during this TV show", Mr Alexeyev told GayRussia.

"We showed all hypocrisy of the representatives of the present Russian authorities.

"They have secret homosexual relationships but at the same time they do all their best in order to slander gays and lesbians.

"I am ready to prove at any court or prosecution office that deputy Chuev is gay and to produce corresponding proofs."

This is the first time a politician has been outed in Russia.

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