Moscow city authorities said Tuesday that they would not authorize a gay pride parade planned for later this month.
"From our point of view, there is no need for such events in the city," said Alexei Mayorov, head of City Hall's security department and Moscow's pointman on approving rallies, Interfax reported.
He said gay activists would be officially notified about the rejection Wednesday.
On Monday, gay activists applied for official permission to hold a parade, picket and meeting on May 25, saying they would take to the streets irrespective of whether authorities grant permission.
Every year since 2006, when the first request was filed, Moscow authorities have refused to grant permission for a gay pride parade.
Gay activists said Monday that St. Petersburg authorities had sanctioned a gay rights rally, despite the city's highly publicized law against "homosexual propaganda."
St. Petersburg officials had not confirmed the statement.
In January, the State Duma voted almost unanimously in favor of a federal bill similar to the St. Petersburg legislation that imposes fines for promoting homosexual behavior among minors.
Further inflaming the gay rights issue, a gay young man was brutally killed in a homophobic attack in Volgograd this past week.
Related articles:
