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#Videocrux - Russia turns down first lesbian marriage request Russia turns down first lesbian marriage request
Homosexuality has been legal in Russia for sixteen years but gay men and women still face widespread homophobia. Now for the first time a lesbian couple have lodged an official request to get married. The request is certain to be denied, but as a gesture they hope it could still have a lasting effect.
First gay couple to request authorities for marriage
Irina and Irina are the first lesbian couple ever to put a request for marriage to the authorities in Moscow. Irina Chapitko, "We love each other and want to build a life together. That’s why we want to formally legitimise out relationship. We are no different from any other couple. I just want to marry the person that I love. Why shouldn’t I? I am just like everyone else."
Civil office turns down their request for marriage
But not in the eyes of the law. Same-sex marriage is forbidden in Russia. No surprise that their request was turned down. Svetlana Potamychevna, Moscow Civil Official, According to article 1, paragraph 3 of the family code: family law conforms to the principle of a voluntary union between a man and a woman." If they can’t marry, then at least their attempt to do so stands as an act of defiance.
Nasty rumors about gays increasing homophobia
Although homosexuality was decriminalised in Russia 16 years ago, homophobia is still widespread. Nikolai Alexeiev, Moscow Gay Pride Organiser, "When the Mayor of Moscow bans gay pride saying it’s a gathering of satanists weapons of mass destruction that homosexuals are the cause of AIDS in Moscow when he says such nasty things then of course, the feeling of homophobia grows enormously." But the couples travelling to Canada to legitimize their relation.

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