Moscow mayor Yuri
Luzhkov has banned "the propoganda of sexual
minorities' opinions" because, he says, gays spread
HIV/AIDS.
"Some home-grown
democrats consider that sexual minorities are a major
indicator and symbol of democracy, but we will continue to
ban the spread of their views," Luzhkov said Thursday,
according to Reuters.
Moscow-based Gay
Russia, the country's leading gay rights advocacy group,
says Luzhkov's statements don't come as a shock.
"We have to
remember that the mayor of Moscow is one of the most
homophobic politicians in Russia," the organization said in
a statement. "For three years Yury Luzhkov has
prohibited holding gay pride marches in the Russian
capital."
The mayor has
prevented several gay rights parades and demonstrations,
despite Russia's decriminalization of homosexuality in 1993,
a decade before the United States. However, the
legislative act has done little to help social
differences. Gays are often relegated to sex clubs, but
cannot show affection in public without risking violence or
condemnation. (Michelle Garcia, Advocate.com)