Rainbow News
Manchester delegation to convince the governor Poltavchenko to not sign "Do not say gay"
7 Mar. 2012
According to Pinknews.co.uk, Lord Mayor of the City of Manchester, UK, and his deputy are now in St. Petersburg, where they will meet with Governor George Poltavchenko. The delegation arrived in Russia to celebrate the half a century anniversary: 50 years ago they became the twin cities. However, as the portal notes, the trip will not only involve the observances: the time it coincided with the adoption of the infamous "milonov" law "Do not say gay." British officials intend to meet with Poltavchenko and Petersburg gay activists and attempt to persuade the governor to not sign the law.
Canal Street - the center of gay life in Manchester
Manchester alderman Sue Murphy, deputy leader of the city council, said that for her to be twin with the city of St. Petersburg øû a great honor, and that this friendship "has stood the test of time." "When you are friends with someone for a long time - no matter a person, or with a city - you have the right to specify the other when he is wrong. This law is wrong - she said. - It is bad for LGBT people living in the city, it is bad for the reputation of St. Petersburg in the eyes of the world. Our visit provides an opportunity to discuss this issue at the highest level in St. Petersburg - before it were too late. We will persuade the governor to veto this ill-conceived bill. "
Murphy added that Manchester is one of the most tolerant cities in the world, the official delegation is proud of how Manchester recognizes LGBT rights, and that she hopes that "the governor will listen to us and reject this terrible legislative initiative."
"Our message is simple: equality - it is not something that should be feared of - Murphy continued. - During this visit, we also intend to meet St. Petersburg LGBT activists, to send them a letter of solidarity from the organization of Lesbian and Gay Foundation, and to assure that the residents of Manchester, regardless of whether they are gay or heterosexual, will support them."
Paul Martin, who is the head of the organization, said: "We share the concerns of our friends - LGBT people from St. Petersburg, as in our own relatively recent history we have faced a similar experience when we were deprived of our basic human rights. Our voices were not heard , our [LGBT] youth had no positive role models that would have helped it reach its full potential. "
Canal Street - the center of gay life in Manchester
Manchester alderman Sue Murphy, deputy leader of the city council, said that for her to be twin with the city of St. Petersburg øû a great honor, and that this friendship "has stood the test of time." "When you are friends with someone for a long time - no matter a person, or with a city - you have the right to specify the other when he is wrong. This law is wrong - she said. - It is bad for LGBT people living in the city, it is bad for the reputation of St. Petersburg in the eyes of the world. Our visit provides an opportunity to discuss this issue at the highest level in St. Petersburg - before it were too late. We will persuade the governor to veto this ill-conceived bill. "
"Our message is simple: equality - it is not something that should be feared of - Murphy continued. - During this visit, we also intend to meet St. Petersburg LGBT activists, to send them a letter of solidarity from the organization of Lesbian and Gay Foundation, and to assure that the residents of Manchester, regardless of whether they are gay or heterosexual, will support them."
Gay.Ru / Lesbi.Ru
Compiled by Alexander Lopata
Photo courtesy of Manchester2002-uk.com
Compiled by Alexander Lopata
Photo courtesy of Manchester2002-uk.com
