For perhaps the first time in quite some time, within the walls of the central office of one of Russia’s political parties, a debate on problems of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals is to be held.
On May 24th in Moscow, in their cultural club, the "Yabloko" party is planning a viewing of the film "Milk" (2008). After the viewing, a debate entitled "Yabloko and LGBT" will be held.
"Antidogma" (automatic translation >>) asserts that registration for participation is through the personal LiveJoural of Aleksandr Gnezdilov, the Deputy Chairman of the Moscow Branch of the Yabloko party and also the Deputy Chairman of the Youth Chamber of the Moscow City Duma.
Recall that the Yabloko party does not have a unified view on LGBT issues. In 2006, the leader of the party, Grigori Yavlinsky announced that gays should not hold protests in Moscow or adopt children.
"In debates with European parties, we stated," Yavlinsky said at the time, "that this is the personal business of these people, who are doing this, but, for instance, the adoption of children, we categorically against this. There are personal rights, but there are also limits. The adoption of children, in our opinion, is a violation of the rights of children ..." "... in our party, there are many believers, including myself. And this to a large extent determines our attitude..." toward gays and lesbians, summed Yavlinsky.
Translated by Timothy Grishin