Moscow pride
parade banned

Authorites in the Russian capital of Moscow refused on Thursday to authorize a gay pride parade, saying the event could trigger riots. But the parade's organizers pledged to go ahead with the rally.

Nikolai Alexeyev, the parade's main organizer, told the Associated Press that the city's refusal to allow the parade was illegal and he promised to challenge it in court. "The authorities decision is a violation of the Russian constitution," Alexeyev said.

The parade is scheduled to take place in the city center on May 27, the 13th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Russia. "The parade will take place as scheduled, we won't cancel it," Alexeyev told the AP.

But the rally could draw a "negative reaction against its participants and trigger protests that could lead to violation of the public order and mass riots," the Moscow city government said. Alexeyev said the statement amounted to the authorities' acknowledgment of the fact that they cannot protect gays' rights. "That means that they can't provide security for gays in any location," he said. (The Advocate)