A Russian city might break national law by allowing a Pride parade
By Josh Lee
A Russian city might become the first to break away from the Russian law against ‘gay propaganda’ by allowing a Pride parade.
Perm is a city in the western part of Russia. Authorities in Perm are questioning whether there is a contradiction between laws protecting freedom of expression and freedom of assembly with the ‘gay propaganda’ law.
Within the past week Yekaterinberg, Ufa, Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk and Kurgan have all banned pride events because of the propaganda law. Unlike many places in Russia, Perm haven’t immediately revoke the plans.
Yuri Utkivn has spoken out and said that Russian authorities cannot decided if someone can or cannot hold a public event.
Utkivn said: “The right of citizens to freedom of peaceful assembly is conflicting with the need to protect children from information that could harm their health, moral and spiritual development.”
The organisers for the event have said that there will be approximately 300 turn up in the city square to draw attention to the problems against the LGBTI community on November 7th.
Suggestions have been make to move the event to a less public area and to ticket it so no one under 18 will be allowed to enter.
However, Perm authorities are still discussing whether or not to allow the event.