Shootings, poison gas attacks force Moscow's largest gay club to shutter

Shootings, poison gas attacks force Moscow&#039;s largest gay club to shutter

(Image credit: Facebook)

In a city where homophobic activity runs rampant, one of Moscow's few remaining gay enclaves has been forced to shutter. The owner of the Central Station ultimately decided to throw in the towel after the onslaught of attacks on his club from extremists became too much to bear.

Last year, Central Station dealt with more than 20 incidents that ranged from shootings on the dance floor to theft to a poison gas attack from anti-gay protesters.

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It has been three years of unforgettable work in the biggest gay club in the country, a lot has been passed through: the attack of the local prosecutor's office, and burning my car down, and the fight against the raiders... It was one of the most interesting experiences of my working life.

Lischinsky said he's filed more than 30 complaints with Moscow police about the violence, yet nothing was ever done to help him.

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Jordan Valinsky is the lead writer for Speed Reads. Before joining The Week, he wrote for New York Observer's tech blog, Betabeat, and tracked the intersection between popular culture and the internet for The Daily Dot. He graduated with a degree in online journalism from Ohio University.