Poster for the 28 April rally in NYC, protesting the anti-gay purge in Chechnya
It’s been about a year since the news broke of gay men being tortured in Chechnya.
This month saw international rallies protesting this persecution.
Another rally took place on Saturday, 28 April in New York City. Attendees included RuPaul’s Drag Race queen Milk and YouTube star Tyler Oakley.
LGBTI television station Logo was also in attendance and covered the event on their Instagram story. Logo has been working since last summer to pressure the White House to take action in Chechnya.
The protest
The non-violent march was led by the organization Voices4, founded by LGBTI activist Adam Eli. Voices4 is demanding humanitarian visas for those in the LGBTI community who escaped Chechnyan persecution.
The organization published a digital action guide ahead of the 28 April event. The guide urges LGBTI individuals to use dating services like Grindr and Tinder to spread awareness about the situation in Chechnya.
The 28 April event also raised awareness for RUSA LGBT, an organization for Russian-speaking LGBTI individuals.
Back in October, Voices4 held another rally focusing on Chechnya, where advocates marched from the historic Stonewall Inn to Trump Tower.
Pictures
Check out images from the 28 April event below:
one year ago today, the story broke about queer people being persecuted in chechnya. today we protest to raise awareness & demand action. learn more: @voices4_ 💗 pic.twitter.com/SwmWWsRDe3
— tyler oakley (@tyleroakley) April 28, 2018
Beautiful rally to speak out against the crimes against queer people in Chechnya – thank you @voices4_ – pic.twitter.com/sr1VpQtQPo
— Marti Gould Cummings (@MartiGCummings) April 28, 2018
From our protest today demanding justice for our queer siblings in #Chechnya.
🗣 Stop the hate. Investigate. Queer Chechens cannot wait. pic.twitter.com/NXPMWol2gj
— Voices 4 (@voices4_) April 28, 2018
No caption necessary.
🌏👬👫👭🌎 pic.twitter.com/7ggUtcubZf
— Voices 4 (@voices4_) April 28, 2018
We demand justice for our queer siblings in #Chechnya, who continue to be persecuted to this day.
(From today’s @voices4_ protest) pic.twitter.com/6m69JKYaG5
— Vinnie Amendolare (@MrVAmen) April 28, 2018
today was so powerful. queers must protect each other all over the world 🌈💖🌹🌟✊🏻 pic.twitter.com/hr1MmujHLE
— emma !!! (@troyeshalcyon) April 28, 2018
