First Russian gay rights parade ends in violence

Russia's first-ever gay rights march descended into chaos and violence Saturday as Russian police, neo-fascists and Orthodox Christians clashed with demonstrators in Moscow.

The activists planned to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The memorial is a symbol of the Second World War struggle against fascism, and one of Russia's most sacred places.

Police closed the gates to the park, however, barring the marchers from their destination. Then a group of about 100 people, including women singing hymns and shaven-head Russian nationalists, tried to head-off the group and charge into the parade.

They chanted "Moscow is not Sodom," and kicked and punched the demonstrators, according to The Associated Press.

Police arrived soon after, said CTV's Ellen Pinchuk, reporting from Moscow.

"Special forces showed up and started kicking people out of the square where this whole situation was unfolding," Pinchuk told CTV Newsnet.

She said there did not appear to be any serious injuries resulting from the clash, though she said a number of "random beatings," took place.

"It did appear they were more interested in arresting members of the gay and lesbian community than those who had come there to beat them up, so that was closely watched by international observers here from human rights groups, and members of the European Parliament."

Police later separated the two sides, forming a human barricade between the activists and a group of skinheads who tried to rush towards the activists.

The skinheads, wearing masks over their faces, threw flares as they attempted to rush the group, but were stopped and dragged away by riot police.

Demonstrators called the clash a step forward for the gay rights movement.

"This is a great victory, an absolute victory -- look at what's happening," said the leader of the march, 26-year-old Nikolai Alexeyev as he was dragged away from the gates by police.

Interfax news agency reported police had detained around 100 people after the clashes.

The march had been banned by city authorities, and had been condemned by religious leaders from all major faiths.

"Mayor Yuri Luzhkov has said right from the beginning there will be no gay pride parade in Moscow," Pinchuk said.

She said the clash, though described as a victory by some, was also terrifying.

"We spoke with a Canadian who was taking part in the organization of the parade. He said that in all his experience in Canada he was never afraid to show his sexual preference, but here he was really terrified," Pinchuk said.

Other gay activists had disapproved of the demonstration, claiming it was a risky move given Russia's widespread intolerance of homosexuality.

The parade was meant to mark the culmination of several days of festivities planned as part of Russia's first Gay Pride festival.

Gay activists from across Europe had been invited to the march. According to reports, about 40 activists took part.

Homosexuality was illegal in Russia until 1993, and public displays of affection between same-sex couples are almost unheard of.