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Moscow Gays Launch Campaign Against Closing of Oldest Moscow Gay Dance Club
 

 MOSCOW, October 11, 2009 (GayRussia)  –  The Moscow gay community is fighting to prevent the closure of the oldest and most popular gay club in the Russian capital – Club Chance.

A petition, signed by 1,084 gays and lesbians, was sent last week to the Russian President, the Moscow Mayor and the Human Rights Ombudsman.  In Strasbourg, the petition was also handed to the General Secretary, the Committee of Ministers and the Human Rights Commissioner at the Council of Europe.

And on Tuesday, several Russian music stars are expected to take part in a press conference in Moscow designed to attract the attention of the public and to press the government to end pressure on the LGBT community –  and let the club continue operating.

It has already been announced that this week the question will be put forward during the UN Human Rights Committee review of Russia’s compliance of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in Geneva.

As the story developed through summer, it turned to be that the campaign on morality initiated by Oleg Mitvol, the Prefect of the Northern District of Moscow, was an attempt to discredit one of its competitors in today’s local election.

The Russian Society of Blind People, owner of the hall leased by the Club was threatened by the Prefect that its subsidies would be stopped if its contract with the club was not terminated immediately.

As a result, the Club Chance was informed that it had until November 16 to cease all activities.

One of the heads of The Russian Society of Blind People, Mr Smolin, happens to be a direct competitor of Mr. Mitvol in today’s election.

“The Mayor of Moscow on several occasions said that the only limitation he put on gays is on public action,” Russian gay rights campaigner Nikolai Alekseev said this afternoon.

“The closing of the oldest gay dance club in Moscow shows today that gays and lesbians in Russia can not only be restricted to marching in the streets but also to dancing in private clubs if that can serve the political interests of someone.

The pressure on Russia suddenly increased last week when the European Court of Human Rights gave Russia until January 20 to justify the ban of 163 LGBT public events, including Moscow Prides, since 2006.

SEE ALSO

Seventy Protest Outside Moscow Gay Club Demanding Its Closure. “Moscow is Not Sodom” chanted a group of 70 people on Saturday in Moscow during a public protest.  (UK Gay News, August 10, 2009)

Two Arrested at Moscow Gay Club Following Raid by Police, Prefect – and the Media.  The crusade of Oleg Mitvol, the Prefect of the northern district of Moscow against gay entertainment in the Russian capital reached a new step last night (Friday).  (UK Gay News, August 9, 2009)

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