Rainbow May Day marches on in Russia despite “gay propaganda” ban

HUNDREDS of Russian LGBT rights activists recently marched in a column in St Petersburg on “Rainbow” May Day despite the country’s anti-gay “propaganda” laws.

For the fifth year running, the demonstration organised by the Vmeste Coalition for Civil Equality drew activists and allies to the city centre.

Posters and placards were emblazoned with slogans such as “no to discrimination on gender and sexual orientation”, “dump homophobia” and “sexism is so last century”.

Messages addressed to local anti-gay United Party MP Vitaly Milanov said “Milonov, thanks for promotion” and “Milonov go to Uganda for homopropaganda”.

Milonov, a staunch supporter of Russia’s sp-called “gay propaganda” ban, was at the parade with some supporters.

He attempted to disrupt the march by threatening with violence and calling for the arrests for violating the “gay propaganda” law that he backed.

In a video uploaded to YouTube, he is heard shouting phrases such as: “Arrest them! Go away! Pedophiles! Prostitutes! Faggots! I am Russian! We will liquidate you! They should be squashed with tanks and tractors!”

Policemen refused to listen to his demands of removing the rainbow flags, and stopped him from accessing the marchers.

Among the over 90,000 people who attended the May Day march were trade union members and people from political and social movements, in celebration of International Workers’ Day and as part of a greater democratic protest.

H/T: BuzzFeed