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Press Release 1

Russian gays and lesbians will celebrate diversity this September

This September gays and lesbians of St. Petersburg will celebrate diversity with International Queer Festival QueerFest 2011 (www.queerfest.ru), which takes place in Russia for the third time.

Situation of gay people in Russia remains grave. Pride marches are routinely banned and end very quickly, with participants beaten or arrested. Public opinion poll shows ¾ of Russians believing that gays and lesbians are "morally dissolute or mentally defective persons", 39% - that they should be forced into treatment or isolated from society, and 4% - that gay people should be exterminated.

Despite the grim facts, Queer Festival of Russia has shown that in the Russian context, culture can be an effective tool to fight for LGBT rights.

"Pride events are so powerful and inspirational in Europe," says Polina Savchenko, festival director. "Russian people also need this kind of positive, empowering experience. Festival invites everyone, gay or straight, to talk about gay rights, emphasizing values of diversity and tolerance for the Russian society. Each year the festival is received with more tolerance by the public. Gay people have a chance to celebrate their culture and identity."

International Queer Festival of Russia is 10 days of events: photo exhibitions, concerts against homophobia, discussions and public debates. Public figures such as mayor of Berlin Klaus Wowereit, British actor Steven Fry, singer Lara Fabian, Russian journalist Vladimir Pozner and many others voiced their support for the festival. Each year, over 2500 people attend festival events.

Festival is organized by LGBT organization Coming Out (www.comingoutspb.ru).

Festival 2010 video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxttD_2Zi0c

More information on the Festival website: www.queerfest.ru

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