MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Dozens of gays and lesbian rights activists planning a parade in southwestern Moscow Saturday have been detained, Russia's Interfax news agency reported.
Gay and lesbian rights activists are detained in Moscow Saturday ahead of a planned march.
1 of 2 The arrests included Nikolai Alexeyev, a prominent gay activist in Russia and his associate Nikolai Bayev, Interfax said, adding that more people trickling into the location were being arrested without explanations.
Officials of Moscow's gay community had announced earlier plans to rally at Novopushkinsky Park in central Moscow, Interfax said.
The arrests came ahead of tonight's Eurovision Song Contest, which is being held in Moscow on Saturday evening. The contest has a strong following among the gay and lesbian community.
Journalists from various countries gathered at the scene as police barricaded the park with metal bars. Trucks with soldiers onboard are parked on nearby streets, Interfax said.
UK gay human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, in a statement on his Web site ahead of the march, said that it was being held to coincide with the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, which is being held in Moscow on Saturday night.
"This parade is in defence of human rights. We are defending the often violated human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Russians. They want legal protection against discrimination and hate crimes. I support their cause.
"Not all Russians are homophobic, but many are. Gay Russians suffer queer-bashing attacks, blackmail, verbal abuse and discrimination in education, housing and employment, This shames the great Russian nation."
The Eurovision Song Contest, which began in 1956, sees singers and groups from a shortlist of European nations perform a specially-written song, before telephone votes from each nation decide the winner.
In western Europe the contest is regard as a light entertainment spectacular, with a strong following among the gay and lesbian community. Many fans dress up, hold parties and gather round the TV to watch the three-hour plus televised marathon.
In more recent years, however, eastern European nations, which take the contest much more seriously, have come to dominate.
The contest is also known for its political edge, as nations either give zero points to traditional enemies -- or, if they are enjoying good relations, the maximum number of points, as a sign of friendship.
The most famous winners of the contest were Abba, who came to attention as the Swedish entry with Waterloo in 1974. In 1988 Celine Dion won the contest while singing on behalf of Switzerland. The dance show Riverdance first came to attention as an interval act when the contest was held in Dublin in 1994.
The organizers of the contest estimate that it is watched by 100 million people worldwide.
THE green field of Hong Lim Park was awashed in pink on Saturday afternoon.
About 1,000 people dressed in various shades of pink turned up at the Speakers Corner there to participate in Singapore's first ever outdoor gay event.
Pink Dot Sg, a gay interest group, organised it.
The group was lobbying for a 'more inclusive Singapore' as well as the freedom to love, regardless of sexual orientation.
The event was peaceful and good-natured, with singing and cultural performances as well as groups of people picnicking on the grass. Many turned up with their dogs.
While the majority of those who came were young, not all were gay.
Sociologist Teo You Yenn, 34, came with her husband and 11-month-old daughter. All three were in pink.
Said Ms Teo: 'I believe there should be different kinds of families in Singapore. Gay people should have the right to public space and privacy, like everyone else.'
Local actors such as Timothy Nga, Neo Swee Lin and Pamela Oei were also there to support the cause.
The crowd started gathering at 3pm and dispersed around 6pm.
Gay and lesbian rights activists are detained in Moscow Saturday ahead of a planned march.
1 of 2 The arrests included Nikolai Alexeyev, a prominent gay activist in Russia and his associate Nikolai Bayev, Interfax said, adding that more people trickling into the location were being arrested without explanations.
Officials of Moscow's gay community had announced earlier plans to rally at Novopushkinsky Park in central Moscow, Interfax said.
The arrests came ahead of tonight's Eurovision Song Contest, which is being held in Moscow on Saturday evening. The contest has a strong following among the gay and lesbian community.
Journalists from various countries gathered at the scene as police barricaded the park with metal bars. Trucks with soldiers onboard are parked on nearby streets, Interfax said.
UK gay human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, in a statement on his Web site ahead of the march, said that it was being held to coincide with the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, which is being held in Moscow on Saturday night.
"This parade is in defence of human rights. We are defending the often violated human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Russians. They want legal protection against discrimination and hate crimes. I support their cause.
"Not all Russians are homophobic, but many are. Gay Russians suffer queer-bashing attacks, blackmail, verbal abuse and discrimination in education, housing and employment, This shames the great Russian nation."
The Eurovision Song Contest, which began in 1956, sees singers and groups from a shortlist of European nations perform a specially-written song, before telephone votes from each nation decide the winner.
In western Europe the contest is regard as a light entertainment spectacular, with a strong following among the gay and lesbian community. Many fans dress up, hold parties and gather round the TV to watch the three-hour plus televised marathon.
In more recent years, however, eastern European nations, which take the contest much more seriously, have come to dominate.
The contest is also known for its political edge, as nations either give zero points to traditional enemies -- or, if they are enjoying good relations, the maximum number of points, as a sign of friendship.
The most famous winners of the contest were Abba, who came to attention as the Swedish entry with Waterloo in 1974. In 1988 Celine Dion won the contest while singing on behalf of Switzerland. The dance show Riverdance first came to attention as an interval act when the contest was held in Dublin in 1994.
The organizers of the contest estimate that it is watched by 100 million people worldwide.
THE green field of Hong Lim Park was awashed in pink on Saturday afternoon.
About 1,000 people dressed in various shades of pink turned up at the Speakers Corner there to participate in Singapore's first ever outdoor gay event.
Pink Dot Sg, a gay interest group, organised it.
The group was lobbying for a 'more inclusive Singapore' as well as the freedom to love, regardless of sexual orientation.
The event was peaceful and good-natured, with singing and cultural performances as well as groups of people picnicking on the grass. Many turned up with their dogs.
While the majority of those who came were young, not all were gay.
Sociologist Teo You Yenn, 34, came with her husband and 11-month-old daughter. All three were in pink.
Said Ms Teo: 'I believe there should be different kinds of families in Singapore. Gay people should have the right to public space and privacy, like everyone else.'
Local actors such as Timothy Nga, Neo Swee Lin and Pamela Oei were also there to support the cause.
The crowd started gathering at 3pm and dispersed around 6pm.
