Russian Police Crush Gay Rights Event

Russian police have broken up a gay pride march in the country's capital.
The march was held on the date of the final of the Eurovision song contest, with marchers complaining about discrimination against the county's gay and lesbian community.
British gay rights advocate Peter Tatchell was one of those arrested by the police. Speaking to reporters upon his arrest, Mr Tatchell said: "This shows the Russian people are not free."
Another leader of Russia's gay rights movement Nikolai Alexeyev was also among those detained.
Moscow's mayor Yuri Luzhkov has previously described gay rallies as "satanic" and claimed that they had a destructive impact on the country's society.
(YN)

British Foreign Office Warns Gays On Travel

"The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has released new guidance for gay travellers in Russia, advising that visitors to Moscow should be aware of possible violence at a planned gay pride march this weekend.

Gay rights activists have said they will hold Slavic Pride on Saturday to coincide with the Eurovision Song Contest final, which the Russian capital is hosting.

City officials have warned they will break up any attempts to hold the march. In May 2006, more than 120 people were arrested after campaigners attempted to hold the capital's first gay rights rally."
(MH)