Moscow
A mob of Russian ultranationalists attacked Moscow’s second ever Gay Pride march this week, kicking and punching marchers and throwing eggs. Nikolai Alexeyev, leader of Russia’s gay community, was arrested, along with several gay European politicians who attended out of solidarity. The marchers were heading for the office of Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, who has described homosexuality as “the work of Satan.” Volker Beck, a member of the German parliament, and Richard Fairbrass of the pop group Right Said Fred were among those beaten. Witnesses said police watched the beatings and did not intervene. They did, however, later arrest a few of the perpetrators.
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