.: LGBT MATERIALS :.

Igor Rybin, MD of Belarusian Medical Academy of Post-Graduates claims: “Homosexual behaviour turns people into beasts”
Igor Rybin considers that homosexuality leads to bestiality, pedophilia and necrophilia. He also thinks that demographical problems of Slavic nations are connected with the fact that homosexuality aims at coming in these countries disguised as democracy and freedom.


Gay activist was beaten up in Minsk
Minsk, on the night of August 23-24 well-known Belarusian LGBT activist Maxim Tsar'kov was beaten up becouse of his sexual orientation.
"...We danced and had fun, but after the mid-night few guys came to us and begun to make mass of insults, most of appeared insults were done because of our sexual orientation...


European LGBT youth against the Belarus dictatorship!
On the night of 18th-19th of March 2009 JEF will organise a co-ordinated pan-European action in different cities across the continent to show support to the suppressed civil society, LGBT and opposition movement in Belarus. The date coincides with the 2006 Presidential elections in Belarus. The action consists of gagging statues in cities throughout Europe and the world that will symbolically be prevented from speaking freely, much like the current situation of the people in Belarus.


2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices on Belarus
U.S. Department of State for the third year in a row used information of TEMA information center in 2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices on Belarus.
“Providing information on discrimination based on sexual orientation in Belarus for international institutions and media is very important part of our work...


LGBT rights activists, for the first time, appealing to courts to defend their constitutional right to freedom of assembly
On February, 17th, Belarusian LGBT activist Roman Mandrykin filed a complaint in the Court of the Central Borough of Gomel in response to the decision of the Gomel City Administration to deny his request to hold a peaceful gathering. The event, entitled “The Right To Love” was planned for February 12th and was designed to raise public awareness about homophobia and discrimination against LGBT people in Belarus.


Members of Amnesty International (AI) in Belarus are concerned about false reports
Members of Amnesty International (AI) in Belarus are concerned about false reports that the organization has publicly commented on a recent case involving conscription into the military. While the details are unclear, the story revolved around an exemption from military service offered to Mr. Paluyan and the basis for that exemption.


Euro MPs Get Tough Over Lack of Gay Rights in Belarus
Three MEPs from the ALDE (Liberal Democrat) group have tabled questions to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso asking about the lack of gay rights in Belarus - and they are demanding answers.


Two transsexual guys had been raped in Minsk
«Four guys, looks very aggressive, broke into the apartment. The owner was near of the door. We have slept under blanket, they took it off and started to ride. Other starts to laugh and threaten, and after one open fly of his pants and ordered to «suck», or otherwise promised to dislodge teeth...


Belarus benchmarking research report
The overall aim of the project was to ensure democracy and rule of law, promote human rights, social security and health among LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) communities. The more specific aim was to create a network among Nordic, Baltic and Russian/Belarusian LGBT NGOs and through sharing of best practices and future cooperation strengthen the capacity of LGBT organisations in the region.


Are all equal before the law?
The last LGBT human rights report witch was made by new LGBT human rights report witch was made by Viachaslau Bortnik & Svyatoslav Sementsov.
“All are equal before the law and have the right to equal defense… without any discrimination.” Article 22 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus
Igor (26), an employee of the Gomselmash plant in Gomel, being an enthusiast, during free time from his primary work duties...


Socialization of LGBT community in Gomel, Belarus
From August 2008, activists of TEMA start to volunteer for Mother Teresa Missionary of Charity in Gomel (78 Sovetskaya st.). Two times a month gays and lesbians will help for free on cooking and distributing meal for poor, home less and disables people.


MFA of Belarus about Moldavian case
May 15, Belarusian LGBT leader Svyatoslav Sementsov send open letter to President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenka and got answer this week. Svyatoslav Sementsov tells Lukashenka about Moldavian Police witch allows violence (May 11) against participants of Moldova Pride 2008 and illegal banns of LGBT Pride March in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau by Mayor of Chisinau (May 08).
Also Svyatoslav ask President of Belarus to comment this case and keep in mind this information during next meeting with President of Moldova.


Month of violence in BELARUS!
Vitaly (25) was drinking beer with his friends in the city park in Minsk on 16 May 2008. “Then a guy walked by and decided that I was gay. He came up and punched me so hard that he knocked out a tooth. Others were shocked, but they didn't react, because they just thought that the attacker had drunk too much. I did not report the incident to the police, because it is my experience that the police in particular have a nasty and humiliating attitude towards gays”, – Vitaly said.


LGBT solidarity action opposite Belarusian embassy in Moscow
Today 16 of May, 13.00-14.00 solidarity action with Belarusian LGBT movement took place opposite Belarusian embassy in Moscow (Maroseyca st. 17/6). Action was allowed by City Hall, and was organized by “LGBT Rights” Moscow group – partner of TEMA information center.


First time in history of Belarus, gay-flag on political action
More than a thousand people took part in the opposition’s march staged on the occasion of the 22nd Chernobyl accident anniversary in Minsk on April 26. It was a first time in a history, when rainbow flag used on political public event in Belarus.


The month against homophobia in Belarus
Not looking at a cancelling of clause and a recognition of homosexuals in a society in many countries of the world, still there is a discrimination and homophobia. Does not differ from the world tendency and Belarus. Not everyone can accept and approve unisex attitudes as men with men, and women with women.
Belarusian Gay-activists have directed applications to the Gomel and Minsk executive committees with the request of carrying out of actions dated to " International day against homophobia"


Gays on the Freedom day in Gomel and Minsk
Representatives of LGBT organizations "TEMA information center" and "Volunteers Without Borders" took part in number of events dedicated to 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic (BNR) in Gomel and Minsk.
23 March, Gomel. LGBT activists, with rainbow flags, joined to representatives of the United Opposition for Freedom Day anniversary celebration events. United Opposition organizes an excursion by historical places of Belarusian democracy.


The Initiative of Young Gays is accused of the Insult of the Government
A statement, addressed to the President of the Republic of Belarus, has been sent to the Presidential Administration. This statement accused the Initiative of Young Gays of homosexual propaganda in Belarus, of summons to the unendorsed meetings, of insulting the government and the President of Belarus and of disinformation of the international society about the social and political life in the country, as gayby.org reports.


Human Rights Report of the US Department of State, about Belarus. March 11, 2008
Homosexuality is not illegal, although discrimination was a problem. Homophobia was widespread, and harassment occurred. According to a local gay rights group TEMA, government-controlled media discouraged participation in the protests following the March 2006 presidential election by saying they were part of a "gay revolution."


Statement from "Rainbowrose" LGBT group in PES (European Socialists) about situation of Belarusian activists
Due to its authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus is today the most isolated country in Europe, and the only one not to be a member of the Council of Europe.
All activists and the civil society are facing very difficult conditions and harassment by the government.


Research “HATE CRIMES AGAINST LESBIAN, GAY AND BISEXUAL PEOPLE IN BELARUS” by Viachaslau Bortnik
The primary goal of this article is to draw attention to cases of hate crime, violence and harassment experienced by lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people in Belarus, where no original publications with any scientific value on this topic are available yet. Issues related to Belarusian LGB people tend to be dealt with in reviews on LGB issues in general.


KGB searched apartment of Belarusian gay and opposition journalist
Officers of the local KGB department searched an apartment of a famous Belarusian gay and opposition journalist Siarhei Padsasonny in Gomel on 12 January 2008.
Prakapenka, district militia officer from the militia department of the Central district, knocked at the door of the apartment on 2 Valatauskaya Street, hired by the journalist.


Pride 2008 in Belarus!
At the second part of September 2008, LGBT Pride festival week will take place in Belarus. It will take place in Minsk and Gomel (second biggest city) and consist of:
1.. Film festival (2 gays, 2 lesbians and 1 trans move; 2 days in tow cities)
2.. Seminar for youth leaders and International Eastern Europe LGBT conference in Minsk...


The apartment of famous Belarusian LGBT activist plundered
Unknown persons have stolen the TV, DVD- and VHS-players, collection
of rare musical CDs, and at the same time have taken notebooks, photos, documents, disks with stored information. An unpleasant surprise was waiting for Belarusian LGBT activist Viachaslau Bortnik upon his return from a business trip.


IGLYO board meets in Belarus
This weekend IGLYO board met in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, for its quarterly board meeting. Our mission was to touch base with the live of young LGBT activists in Belarus, the last dictatorship in Europe. One of the very few countries in the region which is not a member of the Council of Europe as it still practices death punishment. Not many organizations choose to gather in this country, but choose to support civil society in Belarus in another way.


Voting of Belarusian youth on LGBT issue
During beginning of 2007 Information Center TEMA and MyGomel.com organize a voting about react of Gomel region youth to sexual minorities.
Results of voting:
36.56 % believe that sexual and gender minorities are seek, and they need any kind of treatment
9.94 % want to criminalize homosexual relations
30.19 % tolerated
7.39 % identify them self as sexual or gender minority
15.92 % accept sexual and gender minorities
Total numbers voters - 785.


Human Rights Report of the US Department of State, about Belarus. March 6, 2007
Homosexuality is not illegal; however societal discrimination against
homosexuals was a problem. Homophobia was widespread, and instances of harassment occurred in all spheres of society. According to the local TEMA gay rights group, government-controlled media tried to decrease participation in the protests following the March presidential election by saying they were part of a "gay revolution."


1st historic meeting of Belarusian LGBT leaders that took place in Minsk
This is the short report on the 1st historic meeting of Belarusian LGBT leaders that took place in Minsk on 10 February and was a great success.


Belarus Denies Arrest and Detention of Gay Activists Last Month
Minsk/Stockholm - Plans are underway to organize rainbow events underground in Belarus and in "exile" during the next year - following the cancellation of the November 11 Minsk stage of the 2006 ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay Cultural Network) world rainbow cultural conference in November because of the arrest of 7 Belarusian lesbian and gay activists.


The Belarus Ambassador to Belgium was replying to a letter of German MEP Lissy Groner
BRUSSELS and MINSK, December 19, 2006 – The Belarus Ambassador to Belgium, Vladimir Senko, has denied that any gay activists were detained last month in the run-up to the International Conference on LGBT Culture and Human Rights in Minsk.
He was replying to a letter send at the end of last month by German MEP Lissy Groner requesting more information.


International Conference on LGBT Culture and Human Rights was cancelled in Minsk due to detention of its organizers
Minsk, 12 November 2006: The Organizing Committee of the International Conference on LGBT Culture and Human Rights was forced to cancel the event when its seven members have been detained in Gomel on 8 November 2006.
Police broke into the apartment where the meeting of the Organizing Committee took place and arrested those who where there.


Belarusian activist protested against state homophobia on Solidarity Day in Washington, DC
16 August, Washington, DC: Belarusian gay activist Viachaslau BORTNIK joined about twenty people at the protest organized by the civic initiative Poglyad (“Vision”) in front of the Belarusian Embassy in Washington, DC.
Viachaslau held in his hands self-made poster with a portrait of the last European dictator and writing “Lukashenko – Queen of Homophobia”.


Gay Belarusian activist Slava Bortnik is interviewed by GayRussia
Gay Belarusian activist Slava Bortnik is interviewed by GayRussia – and gives a rare insight into life – and life as a gay – in the country considered the most repressive in Europe.
GayRussia: Can you explain us the political situation in Belorussia today, especially in the light of the protests after the recent presidential elections?


Belarusian government-controlled TV openly shows homosexual act between foreign diplomat and his boyfriend
In the evening of 30 July 2006, the Belarusian national TV has openly shown homosexual act between the 2nd Secretary of the Latvian Embassy to Belarus Reimo Smits and another man naming it "a dirty homosexual orgy". The diplomat was named "pervert" and "porno dealer".


Blue revolution in Belarus
More than 10,000 Belarusian citizens have taken to the streets on March 25 in Minsk to celebrate Freedom Day. Thousands of policemen and riot policemen were hurled against peaceful protesters, all array of special means was used: smoke-grenades, noise-making explosives and teargas. Peacefully protesting people were beaten up until they were bleeding and unconscious, many people were carried away in stretchers by doctors. One person is reportedly killed.


"First musical canal" add a new homophobic point to the rule
"First musical canal" was founded 1 of Much 2002. TV canal is belonging to Byelorussian independent "Dobrovidenie" company. It works in Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia; and by satellites - everywhere. Canal oriented on youth form 16 to 35 and has to, as company sad, make more popular modern Belarusian youth culture. "First musical canal" is unique musical TV canal in the Republic of Belarus.


17 May to celebrate International Day against Homophobia (IDAHO) in Belarus
Nation-wide gay NGO "Vstrecha" (Meeting) and Amnesty International Belarus invite you to join us on 17 May to celebrate International Day against Homophobia (IDAHO) in Belarus!


Criminal Prosecution Of Homosexuals Proposed In Belarus
The deputy of the “chamber of representatives” of the “national assembly” of Belarus Viktar Kuchynski considers it necessary to criminalize homosexuality. “My position as a deputy is: all these “queers” and others are to be punished to the maximum”, told the parliamentary at the session of the lower chamber during the discussion concerning the presidential decree “On some measures of human trade prevention”.


Beltelecom blocks Russian gay websites
Belarusian state telco Beltelecom has blocked access to Russian gay and lesbian web-sites, claiming the subject matter on the sites is obscene. In October 2004, the Belarusian National Anti-pornography and Violence Commission decided that three Russian websites, Gay.ru, Gaily.ru, and Qguis.ru, contained obscene language and photos with "indications of pornography" and recommended access to the sites be denied to internet surfers in Belarus.


State Homophobia in Belarus
“… we have to show our society in the near future, what ‘they’ (the European Union and the United States) are doing here, how they are trying to turn our girls into prostitutes, how they are feeding our citizens with illicit drugs, how they are spreading sexual perversion here, which methods they are employing.” - Aleksandr Lukasheko, President of Belarus in a meeting of the Belarusian Security Council.


GAY CULTURAL EVENTS CANCELLED IN BELARUS
Minsk/Stockholm - The organizing committee of the final (Belarusian) phase of the 4th International Moonbow Human Rights & Homo Cultural Festival* and the 1st stage of this year's ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay Cultural Network) World Lesbian &nd Gay World Conference -- August 28-29, 2004 -- have been forced to cancel the event in Minsk.


THE COURT HEARING ON VIOLATION OF CONSUMER RIGHTS OF HOSTING SERVICE OF SEXUAL MINOROTIES WEBSITE WWW.APAGAY.COM HAS TAKEN PLACE
On the 26 March 2004 the Court of Pervomaiskii District has heard the claim of Ilya Krachina, one of the owners of the internet resourse APAGAY (Belarusian web-site for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals www.apagay.com) against the foreign company Red Graphic systems.

.: BELARUS TODAY :.