Richard Fairbrass, of British pop group Right Said Fred, is attacked and beaten by Russian nationalists before being arrested by police at Moscow’s second attempted Gay Pride parade. (source)

The Mayor of Moscow, Yury Luzhkov, said on Wednesday he would not allow gay pride marches to take place on this year’s May Day holiday. The announcement came as a gay rights leader said he planned events throughout May to highlight the repression of sexual minorities in Russia.

“The council will act decisively and uncompromisingly to prevent attempts to hold such events because society is overwhelmingly opposed to the gay lifestyle and philosophy,” council spokesman Sergei Tsoi was quoted by Interfax as saying, in comments confirmed to AFP by a member of his staff.

“It is a matter of surprise and indignation that gays plan to carry out unsanctioned gatherings in various parts of Moscow during the Festival of Peace and Work,” Tsoi said, referring to May 1, one of the most important Soviet-era holidays. He said the council was taking into account threats of violence made by radical Orthodox and other anti-gay groups. ”There could be bloodshed and no one wants that,” Tsoi said.

An unsanctioned parade on May 27 last year, the anniversary of the abolition of a Soviet law that criminalised homosexuality, ended with ultra-nationalists throwing eggs and punching and kicking gay activists.

Source: Associated Free Press