Brighton solidarity with LGBTQ+ Russians

Brighton Socialist Party members taking part in a Birhgton LGBT solidarity protest on the opening day of the 2014 winter Olympics (Click to enlarge)

Beth Granter, Brighton Socialist Party

On Saturday 8 February, the first full day of the winter Olympics in Sochi, over 100 people in Brighton showed their solidarity with Russian lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and other people being oppressed as a result of Russia's anti-gay laws.

A letter from Ksenia Zhivago, a Moscow-based Russian LGBTQ+ activist, was read out. It highlighted how the Olympics have caused many problems for working class people living or working in Sochi, and how LGBT people are being used as a scapegoat for wider societal issues.

A last minute update was sent from Ksenia just before the demonstration began. It reported that activists demonstrating during the Olympics opening ceremony, by singing the Russian national anthem and waving rainbow flags on Red Square, had been detained by the police.

Two female demonstrators had been threatened with sexual assault by police officers, while male demonstrators were beaten.

The demonstration moved to a McDonald's restaurant, where the group made clear their dissatisfaction at the Olympic sponsor's silence on the rising tide of homophobic violence in Russia.

Russian LGBT activists are asking people worldwide to:

Protest in front of Russia's embassies and consulates during the Sochi Olympics
Sports fans and athletes to organise solidarity action when attending the Olympics
Demand a change in the rules of the Olympics that currently limit the right to protest against discrimination
Support activists facing persecution in Russia, including those who have to seek asylum in the EU and other countries
Organise protests during visits of Russian officials or celebrities known for their homophobic views
Demand Olympic sponsors make clear statements against Russia's anti-gay laws

The "To Russia with love, Brighton" campaign will continue - to find out more visit www.facebook.com/russiawithlovebrighton.

A separate demonstration will take place in London on Valentine's Day, 14 February, outside the Russian Embassy from 12 noon: bit.ly/sochi14demo

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