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THAT 1,000 members of the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer community
in London gathered in Whitehall last Saturday to protest at new anti-gay laws
being introduced by the Putin government in Moscow.
Many are calling for a boycott of the
winter Olympics as such discrimination falls foul of the Olympic Charter.
Recent attacks on gay teens in Russia
have caused international disgust and condemnation. The London protest was one
of many around the world.
The protesters were calling on Prime
Minister David Cameron and the Foreign Office to put pressure on the Russian
Government to repeal these laws.
"Putin is the 'Czar of
Homophobia'," veteran gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell wrote on his
website ahead of the protests.
"His regime has outlawed the public
expression of LGBT identity and affection – and prohibited the advocacy of LGBT
human rights – in circumstances where a person under 18 might see it."
Clutching banners bearing slogans such
as "Love Russia. Hate Homophobia" and rainbow flags, protesters
called for a change in the policy that has attracted criticism from world
leaders.
Critics of the anti-propaganda law have
said it effectively disallows all gay rights rallies and could be used to
prosecute anyone voicing support for homosexuals.
On Friday, Olympic president Jacques
Rogge asked Russia to explain how the country will implement the law in detail
ahead of next year's Sochi Winter Olympics.
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