G20: Cameron Urged to Act On Russian Anti-Gay Law

G20: Cameron Urged to Act On Russian Anti-Gay Law

Protest calls on PM to put LGBT rights on summit agenda

Rally: Tuesday 3 Sept 5-8pm, Downing Street, SW1

London, UK - 2 September 2013

London will join a Global Speak Out on Russia with 19 cities across the world on Tuesday 3 September, just two days before the G20 summit opens in St Petersburg, hosted by President Putin.

Tomorrow’s London protest against Russia’s anti-gay law will take place outside Downing Street, 5-8pm. Follow hashtag #Russia4Love for updates.

We are asking David Cameron: “What are you doing about the anti-gay law in Russia? We want answers. Tell Putin to drop the law.”

We want him to raise Russia’s anti-gay repression at the G20 summit and to publicly urge President Putin to repeal the anti-gay law.

Commenting on the Global Speak Out, Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation said:

“This June, president Putin signed legislation that effectively bans positive debate or portrayal of LGBT people and relationships. As well as being a direct attack on freedom of expression, which is guaranteed in the Russian constitution, the new anti-gay law is part of a wider attack on civil society.

“Putin’s regime has banned all protests in the city of Sochi in the run up to the Winter Olympics. It has also banned the hosting of a Gay Pride House at the Sochi Games, which the IOC has not sought to overturn.

“Gay athletes and spectators attending the Winter Olympics held in Sochi in 2014 could potentially face fines or jail sentences for affirming their support for LGBT equality.

“The IOC charter is clear - all forms of discrimination are banned and contrary to the spirit of the Games.

“This is why we’re putting pressure on David Cameron and world leaders to raise Russia’s homophobic policies at the G20 Summit,” said Mr Tatchell.

The London protest has been endorsed by LGBT media: Attitude, Beige, Diva, G3, Gay Star News, GT (Gay Times), Out in the City, Pink News and QX magazine - plus the Peter Tatchell Foundation and London’s leading weekly city guide magazine, Time Out.

Tomorrow’s protest is part of a Global Speak Out on Russia, coordinated by All Out. Details of other protest around the world can be found here: https://www.allout.org/en/russiaevents

ENDS

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