Dozens of gay rights activists on Wednesday protested new Russian
anti-gay laws by dumping Russian vodka outside the Russian Consulate
in New York City.
The laws, signed in recent weeks by Russian President Vladimir
Putin, prohibit gay and lesbian couples from adopting Russian-born
children and the public promotion of gay rights where minors might be
present, effectively banning Gay Pride marches and similar
demonstrations.
The protest was organized by RUSA LGBT, a U.S.-based gay rights
group for Russians, and Queer Nation, a gay rights group based in New
York.
“We're here today at the Russian Consulate in New York City to
let the Putin government and Russian businesses, in particular the
makers of Russian vodkas, know that we are not going to stand
silently while they attack us and our community and scapegoat us,”
Ann Northrop, spokeswoman for Queen Nation NYC, told the AP. “We're
furious at the Putin government and the legislature in Russia for
passing these new laws that make it a criminal offense to be out
about being gay in Russia.”
Activist chanted “We're here, we're queer, we're drinking only
beer” and held signs that read “No Stoli! No Sochi!” as the
vodka was poured into the streets.
Similar protests are planned for other cities, including outside
the Russian Embassy in Washington and the Russian Consulate in San
Francisco.