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Homophobic Mayor of Moscow Signs Schedule for Gay-Friendly Eurovision Song Fest

Organisers confirm Slavic Gay Pride for the day of contest’s final
 

MOSCOW, November 27, 2008 (GayRussia.ru)  –  Moscow authorities have officially approved the dates, places and schedule of Eurovision Song Contest and the events connected to it which will take place in Russia’s capital next spring, the Interfax news agency reported this morning.

According to spokesperson from the Moscow Government, the city’s Mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, who banned three Gay Prides in Russia’s capital in 2006, 2007 and 2008, signed a decree saying that the Eurovision Song Contest, with its ‘high camp’ and legions of gay travelling fans, will take place in Moscow from May 1 to 16.

Official opening ceremony of Eurovision-2009 will take place at 8 p.m. on 9 May (Victory Day in Russia) at University Square in Vorobyevy Gory.

The semi-finals of the contest are planned for May 12 and 14, with the final and closing ceremony taking place at Olympiysky Stadium May 16, the same day as the planned Slavic Gay Pride.

According to Interfax, officials from participating countries will come to Moscow two months before the event to sort out all organisational issues for the contest.

It has emerged that the city government has even suggested to organisers that the Moscow transport system, including the Metro, could be adjusted if required, Interfax reported.

The working group for the Eurovision preparation is headed by the deputy Mayor of Moscow Valeriy Vinogradov.  It is said that the events in Moscow will be funded by both Russian and Moscow budgets.  Part of the costs will be paid by the sponsors.

Russian gay activists, together with the activists from Belarus, announced earlier this month their intention to stage Slavic Gay Pride Parade on the day of Eurovision final.

In addition to the parade, gays and lesbians are planning other events in Russian capital, including human rights conference dedicated to the International Day Against Homophobia which is marked on May 17.

Organiser of Moscow Pride Nikolai Alekseev said today: “our plans never changed, they only expand.  Official notification for the gay pride march will be sent to Moscow Mayor in accordance with Russian legislation in early May next year.  The place for the event is currently being discussed.”

He expressed confidence that Slavic Gay Pride events will be attended by many European gays and lesbians who will be in Moscow for Eurovision..

“We have already sent a letter to the organisers of Eurovision asking them to discuss the issue of security for gays and lesbians in Moscow during Eurovision events,” he added.

Mr. Alekseev pointed out that “several complaints against Russia concerning the bans of public events of sexual minorities, including two Gay Prides in May 2006 and May 2007, are awaiting consideration in the European Court of Human Rights.

“The process of internal Russian appeals against the ban of this year’s Pride is drawing to an end, and soon we will send our new complaint to Strasbourg concerning the bans of 155 marches this past May,” he said.
 

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