Recent news articles have brought to light that there is a coordinated campaign of kidnap, torture and alleged murder of gay men taking place in Chechnya. This abhorrent practice has no place in the twenty-first century and it is right that people from the LGBT community and beyond stand up to protect these individuals.
The LGBTplus Society stand with others in the condemnation of these practises.
The barbaric practices taking place in Chechnya are not cohesive with modern values. Here in the UK we are incredibly fortunate to be allowed to celebrate who we are, no matter where we fall of the colourful spectrum of this of community and for that we should be humble, never take our rights for granted, remember those who have suffered and fought so that today we may live openly. In addition, we should continue to endeavour to help those who are not as protected as ourselves.
Alvi Karimov states that gay people do not exist in Chechnya. It is clear we do. We are not a myth, a legend, the stuff of nightmares. We are just people. People who want and deserve to love who we love, openly and respectfully.
The LGBTplus Society recognises that whilst a protest will not directly affect the actions taken by those in Chechnya nor the homophobia that exists in Russia, we can and we should seek to be kinder to one another, raise each other up and celebrate everyone within the LGBT+ community.
We fortunate to be able to be part of a lively, diverse, and talented gay community in this country, we are supported, open and able to marry whom we love. In honour of those who do not have the opportunities we do, we should endeavour to be the best possible version of ourselves and the best possible LGBT+ community we can be.
Thank you,
The LGBTplus Society Committee