[Filmfestivalresearch] Hostile Brutes with the Mentality of Nazi Racism - Stephen Fry's View of Saint Petersburg Politicians, Russia.

[Manny de Guerre]

Hostile Brutes with the Mentality of Nazi Racism - Stephen Fry's View of
Saint Petersburg Politicians, Russia. 

As local authorities in the city of Saint Petersburg gear up to pass
criminalising legislation which prohibits the promotion of so called
"sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderism to minors" reaction to
the measures are reverberating around the world and harsh criticism from all
quarters is gathering pace. 

Leading British actor, comedian and writer, Stephen Fry, was among the many
to express shock and outrage at the abysmal law. "Hell's teeth, he wrote on
his Twitter feed, "Something must be done to stop these fantastical
monsters. Will talking about Tchaikovsky be banned?" In a further display of
support and show of solidarity with the Russian LGBT community Stephen Fry
wrote an address to the Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival, based
in Saint Petersburg: 

He writes: 

"I send fraternal greetings of love, sympathy and support to all the LGBT
citizens of St Petersburg and Russia. That the land of Tchaikovsky, the
great nation that gave us so much immortal and influential in art, the
novel, drama and free thinking should allow itself to stoop so low to
barbarism and hatred against those who only wish to live and love in dignity
like all people, sickens and saddens my heart. Who is "against nature"?
There are of scientifically verified examples of same-sex activity amongst
hundreds of different species of animal. Only one species has ever been
found to be prejudiced, bigoted and homophobic. It is homophobia that is
unnatural. It is a sign of fear, bullying, scape-goating and self-hatred. It
is no different from Nazi racism or any other kind of brutal, ignorant and
degraded behaviour. The courage of Russia's LGBT community astounds me. At
the risk of broken bones they continue to stand up against hostile brutes. I
encircle them with a hug of love, fellow-feeling, sympathy and admiration." 

The implementation of the law prevents any individual or organization to
promote what is described as "propaganda of homosexuality". Those deemed to
be involved in the: "purposeful activity and uncontrolled dissemination of
public information" relating to homosexuality will incur hefty fines: 5,000
rubles (125 Euros) for an individual, 50,000 rubles (1,250 Euros) for
someone in a public position and 500,000 rubles (12,500 Euros) for a legal
entity. 

The initiative would be a major blow for the LGBT movement in Russia as the
city is home to Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival, LGBT
Organization Coming Out and LGBT Network who have all been at the forefront
of fighting LGBT rights in Russia. A wide range of activities, such as
demonstrations, speeches and events on LGBT human rights as well as
provision of information about or to LGBT people within the public space are
all under threat. 

The legislation, which has been forced through without any public discussion
and has no scientific or medical grounding, contributes directly to spread
of hatred and increase of xenophobia in society. It is a direct attack on
the members of the LGBT community in Russia and violates the fundamental
human rights to freedom of association, freedom of peaceful assembly and
freedom of expression which are enshrined both in the Constitution of the
Russian Federation, as well as European Convention of Human Rights. 

This continuing onslaught against LGBT people by politicians in Saint
Petersburg can only lessen even further Russia's already appalling record on
human rights and democracy. 

Other Resources: 

Stop Homophobia Video Campaign:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rCnlmgc4qfs>
&v=rCnlmgc4qfs 

Latest News and How to Help: http://bok-o-bok.ru/news.asp?lan=1
<http://bok-o-bok.ru/news.asp?lan=1&tid=693> &tid=693 

Manny de Guerre

Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival

 <mailto:manny at bok-o-bok.ru> manny at bok-o-bok.ru 

Тel: +7.812.313.9341  

Mob+7.911.710.2702                 

 <http://www.bok-o-bok.ru/> www.bok-o-bok.ru  

 <http://shop.bok-o-bok.ru/> http://shop.bok-o-bok.ru

 

 <http://vkontakte.ru/club2049553> vkontakte
<http://www.twitter.com/sidebysideff> twitter
<http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&ref=mf&gid=253830262456> facebook

    

image001

 

 

 

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