Arrests in MoscowI found it so interesting that in 1 week, both Cuba and Russia had gay pride events, with very different results. While here in the U.S., gay pride parades have become cliche and downright boring, marching in your finest drag can still get you arrested in some places.
Take Russia. Moscow banned a recently planned gay pride parade, and when people began gathering anyway, riot police moved in, broke it up and arrested people. No surprise, I suppose, given the former Communist country's record on human rights. Guess they'll find a way to spin this.
Contrast that with what happened in still-Communist Cuba, where the country held it's first-ever gay rights event. Granted, the government approves everything there or it doesn't happen--but that's a huge step from 2008, when a gay rights rally was banned. It wasn't a full-on parade with leather boys and all, but hey--baby steps! And the event was led by Raul Castro's daughter Mariela, so I guess that's a good thing. She's already known for being a gay rights advocate.
Interesting contrasts and comparisons. And it shows the world that we're not going to be silent, no matter where we live.
Support from Mariela Castro in Havana
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