On Standing Up For LGBT Rights In Russia

Please see below message from PCS Proud

#IAmGay

PCS Proud is the self organising arm of PCS union and has recently released a statement condemning the LGBT oppression in Russia with the full support of our national committee.

We believe this is not enough. We have a 'Proud to…' campaign slogan that is currently underused.

We all have things that we are Proud To… Be out for equal marriage, support public services, believe in equality… You know the kind of thing.

In order to fight the oppression of our brothers and sisters on our European doorstep and also any of our members visiting Russia we believe an organised campaign is needed. We have decided to run a social media campaign.

Saying 'I am gay' in Russia could end in a custodial sentence. Tourists even are being beaten and arrested. We cannot allow this to stand. We believe sending the message that the rest of the world wants the basic human freedom to say 'I am gay' is essential. We will therefore be sending pictures of LGBT and non-LGBT members, their friends and family, and hopefully organisations holding up an A4 placard saying 'Proud to say, Mr Putin, I am gay'.

It doesn't have to be fancy, something handwritten in marker pen will do, but please add your voice to ours.

You don't have to be LGBT to take part. Think Spartacus. If we all say 'I am gay' then how will they know who to really target?

You don't even have to tweet it from your own account if anonymity is an issue. Just email your photo to russia@pcsproud.org.uk and we will tweet it for you with no name attached.

If you are happy to tweet this yourself then please send it to @KremlinRussia_E copy in @PCS_Proud and use the hashtag #IAmGay.

We ask for your support and would be thankful of any pictures of anyone we can get who is Proud To… fighting with us in this simple gesture.

Also, a cheeky RT or a share would be much appreciated. As would you putting this on your own blogs as a guest post.

Let's get this shared far and wide. Let's be Proud To… stand united!

In Solidarity

PCS Proud National Committee