Police attack Moscow Pride
Police thwarted a gay-pride march in Moscow on May 16, arresting 40 activists in reportedly violent attacks.
Gay-rights activists planned the march, which city officials had banned, to coincide with the finals of the popular Eurovision Song Contest, held in the Russian capital May 12-16, to draw attention to homophobia in the country.
When would-be marchers gathered at around noon to demonstrate, police reportedly dove into their ranks after just minutes, grabbing and dragging activists to waiting patrol vans. Some 40 activists reportedly were arrested, including Andy Thayer of the United States, Peter Tatchell of Britain and Russian gay-rights leader Nikolai Alexeyev.
Despite calls for artists to boycott Eurovision in support of gay rights, the contest continued without interruption.
Irish health service to recognize gay relationships
The Irish Health Service Executive plans to draw up new guidelines for hospitals to recognize partners of LGBT people and address health concerns specific to the LGBT community.
The guidelines are included in a number of recommendations made by a new report on LGBT health, released May 13.
The report also found particular health problems in the LGBT community, such as higher levels of drinking and smoking than in the general population.
The report noted prejudice and discrimination as health issues, and suggested they could lead to increased risk of depression, substance misuse, self-harm and suicidal behavior, particularly among younger, more vulnerable LGBT people.
Odhrán Allen, director of mental-health strategy at the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network, welcomed the report, saying: “For the first time in Ireland we have a coherent and comprehensive report on the particular health needs of LGBT people as well as clear recommendations on how the HSE can address these needs.”
Peruvian police to ban gays
Peru is planning to ban gays from joining the police.
Interior Minister Mercedes Cabanillas proposed new measures to raise public confidence in the police.
Along with permanent suspension of any officer found to have sexual relations with someone of the same gender, adulterers would also be barred from the force.
The measures will also censure those who “organize, promote, participate or incite strikes, stoppages or marches.”
Critics have attacked the proposals as unconstitutional.
Last May, human-rights groups expressed concern after the alleged rape of a gay man by the Peruvian police.
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission asked its supporters to write to the authorities in Peru about the handling of the alleged case.
Luis Alberto Rojas Marín, 26, claimed he was repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted by three police officers in February 2008.
Supporters of the police launched a campaign of protests, criticizing the alleged victim’s sexuality and blaming him for the rape.
Cubans conga against homophobia
Cuban President Raul Castro’s daughter led hundreds of gays in a street dance May 16 in Havana to draw attention to gay rights on the island.
Participants formed a conga line around two city blocks to the beat of drums and accompanied by costumed stilt-walkers.
Events also included educational panels and presentations about gay rights and sexual diversity.
“We’re calling on the Cuban people to participate so that the revolution can be deeper and include all the needs of the human being,” said Mariela Castro, an outspoken gay-rights advocate who directs Cuba’s officially sanctioned Sex Education Center.
At the program’s opening, Parliament speaker president Ricardo Alarcon said Cuba has advanced in recent years in the area of gay rights.
The communist government discriminated against homosexuals in the years after the 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro, Mariela’s uncle. But tolerance of homosexuality on the island has grown in recent years.
Larry Nichols can be reached at [email protected].