■ Protesters outside the Iranian Embassy in Moscow today. photo: Нуара и Жени

MOSCOW, July 19, 2007 (GayRussia.ru)  –  About two dozen gay and political activists demonstrated today in front of the Iranian Embassy in Moscow, protesting the execution and discrimination of gay people in Iran.

This is the second year that gays and lesbians have rallied in front of Iranian embassy in Moscow.

Last year LGBT and political activists also rallied on July 19 against execution of gay people in Iran.  On that occasion, several extremists attempted to assault the demonstrators.

But today, the situation in front of Iranian embassy was very calm.  It was at the end of the demonstration that a group of nationalists and religious believers appeared.  They were stopped by the police and moved on.

One of Moscow Pride organizers and participant of the rally, Nikolai Baev, said that this year during the rally there was no danger for LGBT activists.

“It seems that even homophobic activists start to understand that gays and lesbians may rally and protest freely in Moscow, and walk on streets with their flags and slogans”, he said

“This is also a clear result of our policy that we started with Gay Pride movement in Russia.”

Today’s rally was organised and supported by Russia’s leading gay rights advocacy group Project GayRussia.Ru together with 'LGBT Rights', 'Free Radicals Libertarian Movement' and activistsof 'Transnational Radical Party'.

However, traditionnal human rights organisations ignored the protest and did not attend.

Demonstrators held slogans in support of human and gay rights.  They also unveiled rainbow flags.

Slogans of the rally were: “Iran! Maintain human rights!”, “Iran! Hands off gays!”, “No death penalty!”.

Today’s rally was authorised by Moscow authorities as there was no mention of “gay rights” in their application.

■  Click HERE for more photos by 'Нуара и Жени' from the Moscow demonstration outside the Iranian Embassy

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