The Birth of Gay Rights Litigation in Belarus

by Michael Jones · 2009-02-23 07:58:00 UTC
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belarusLast week, the first LGBT rights lawsuit was filed in Belarusian courts, with a complaint against the Gomel City Administration for denying a request from LGBT activists to hold a peaceful rally.  The rally, which was billed as a "Right to Love" gathering, was designed to raise public awareness about homophobia and discrimination against LGBT people in Belarus.  LGBT rights activist Roman Mandrykin filed the lawsuit, arguing that denying a permit to activists violated the right to freedom, which is guaranteed in the Constitution of Belarus.

This is very cool to see.  LGBT rights activists in Belarus have been becoming increasingly vocal and well organized in their efforts to push for equality.  In November 2008, LGBT rights activist Sergei Androsenko impressed even right-wing leaders in the country with his passionate pleas for equality.  And last week, Russian and Belarusian officials traveled to Brussels to meet with European Union leaders to discuss efforts to promote equality for LGBT people.

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice once labeled Belarus "an outpost of tyranny." Now would be a perfect time for the country to dispute that claim, and the way to do it is for the government to recognize the right of all citizens, including LGBT citizens, to organize publicly.

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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