A rally against homophobia in Russia was held in derry at the weekend.
Protestors taking part in rally against homophobia.
The protest, held in Guildhall Square to coincide with the opening of the 22nd Winter Olympics in Sochi and a week ahead of the LGBT Festival to be held in Strabane.
Liam Friel, Sinn Fein local election candidate to attended the protest, said it was “important” to highlight Russia’s new law “criminalising” the gay community and breaches of human rights against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans was attended by Sinn Féin Cityside representative Liam Friel who took part in the protest said
“It was important to attend the rally at the Guildhall to highlight Russia’s new law criminalising the gay community and breaches of human rights against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
He added: “I think anyone who saw the programme on Channel 4 this week – ‘Gay and Russian: ‘It’s Hunting Season, We Are the hunted’ – would have been shocked at the fear and brutality dished out against LGBT community.
“We must work all year round to change attitudes and mindsets regarding discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered people.
“Undoubtedly, the issue of hate crime; covering racism, sectarianism and homophobic attacks, is one of the major challenges facing our society today.
Mr Friel added: “We are on record as stating that everyone has a role to play in ensuring that we make it clear that racist ,sectarian and homophobic attacks are not acceptable in any community be it Derry or Moscow.”
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