Belarus becomes more colorful

February 16, 2011

Currently, all over the world events take place which might well be described as historic: the people in the Arab world fight for their freedom and chase away the old despots. But last Monday, even in Eastern Europe something historical happened. For in Minsk the first authorized demonstration of gays and lesbians was held. They too, went to the street for their freedom - however, they could not (yet) disempower the Belarus despot Alexander Lukashenko.
Nevertheless, the organizer of the Moscow Gay Pride, Nikolai Alekseev, called the event as historic. So far, the Belarusian authorities have never approved a gay demonstration. Although homosexuality is not prosecuted since 1994, queer life actually does not take place publicly. Year after year, attempts to organize a Gay Pride failed. Authorities denied the permit and police arrested those who were still on the road. For that reason alone, the first authorized demonstration can be considered a huge leap of Belarus on the road to European normality.
It will however take a few more years until the queer community in Belarus can live as free and self-determined as in most European countries. The beginning has been made, and I hope that I can report this year about the first officially approved Gay Pride in Minsk. And perhaps the straights will wake up and realize that the struggle for queer rights is a struggle for all people who want to live in peace and freedom. Together with the Queers, they could then also banish Lukashenko!

additional entries:

Gays rule the world!

Homos in the Hindu Kush

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