A group of active LGBT community members of Saint-Petersburg intends to held Gay Pride parade 2010 and will do it despite the possible ban.
Maria Yefremenkova, the chairwoman of the organizing committee of Saint-Petersburg 2010 gay pride parade said that its participants have full right to make a parade. "Each of us must remember that lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders are among our friends, family members, relatives, co-workers or neighbours.
We believe that gay pride action is an important way to defend LGBT rights, the rights of our friends and dear ones. We welcome all those who share our goals and values. We call on everybody to fight for our common ideals together despite the mass propaganda of gay hatred and violence by the authorities, to unanimously fight against violation of LGBT human rights recognised by the Russian Federation", declares gay action's official Internet site.
For reference: The response on Ms. Efremenkova and public movement "Equality" initiatives from LGBT organizations of Saint-Petersburg was quite restrained. "Coming out" LGBT group said that it was ready to support the action only when all other LGBT organizations of Saint-Petersburg would support it.
Translated by Yerdna Bananes