Dmitry Isakov may become the first gay rights activist to be convicted under Russia’s controversial “gay propanda” laws, after he was attacked and arrested by his own parents at a solo campaign in July. On July 30, Mr Isakov staged a one-man protest in the centre of the town of Kazan, Russia, holding up a sign which read: “Being gay and loving gays is normal. Beating gays and killing gays is a crime!” According to Gay Russia, his mother and father helped authorities escort their son to the car where he was taken to a police station. His father assisted police by bringing him to the ground as his mother stole the poster from his hands. After his initial arrest, Mr Isakov was set free, although he was suffering from a number of injuries inflicted by police officers.
Last Tuesday, Nation publisher Katrina vanden Heuvel published an op-ed in the Washington Post raising concerns about the calls for a Sochi Boycott by many western LGBT activists. The piece brings up many now-familiar arguments about the need to understand how different Russian culture is and the potential “prize” western activists may be offering Putin by allowing him to raise his standing with the powerful, anti-west, traditionalist majority in Russia…. It strikes me as remarkable how many people seek to dismiss the efforts of westerners ( including activists such as Harvey Fierstein and Dan Savage and journalists such as John Aravosis and Richard Socarides) with the refrain that Russians need to deal with this issue internally, given that the propaganda ban effectively denies Russian LGBT citizens the right to protest freely….
Just yesterday, Dmitry Isakov became the first Russian activist to be arrested under the new gay propaganda [law.] Last week there were reports of Russian police raiding the homes of LGBTs activists as well as sightings of flyers encouraging people to report their LGBT neighbors to local authorities. This is the “political and social reality” that Russians are facing.
LGBT Russians are not able to protest freely. It is illegal to be out. Russia’s law criminalizing “gay propaganda” law makes it a crime for even straight people to speak out publicly against the law. Speak up for Russian queers today in Seattle. Take part in the global speak out.
TIME: 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. TODAY.
LOCATION: The sidewalk outside Russian Consular Residence, 3726 East Madison Street, Seattle, WA 98112
WHAT TO BRING: Pride Flags, Attitude, Signs.