The biggest gay parade in Europe was held in Berlin on July 28. A team of Russian-speaking LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) from post-Soviet countries (RUSA LGBT) also participated in the parade. Among them were representatives of sexual minorities from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and some other former Soviet republics.
Several participants of the Berlin gay parade wearing Tajik traditional clothing were carrying national flag of the country and signs saying, “They beat me to save from hell (Tajikistan),” “My parents treat me for being gay. Tajikistan,”
The Berlin Pride Celebration, usually known as CSD Berlin, is a parade and festival held in the second half of July each year in Berlin to celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and their allies. CSD stands for Christopher Street Day. Since 1979, the event has been held each year. Berlin Pride is one of the largest gay and lesbian organized events in Germany and one of the biggest in Europe. Its aim is to demonstrate for equal rights and equal treatment for LGBT people, as well as celebrate the pride in Gay and Lesbian Culture.
Recall, the Tajik authorities in October last year drew up a register of hundreds of allegedly gay citizens and indicated they would be subject to mandatory testing for sexually transmitted infections.
An article published in the Qonuniyat (Law) magazine, the mouthpiece of the Prosecutor-General’s Office, in October last year, said the list of 319 gay men and 49 lesbian women was compiled after it conducted research into the LGBT community.
AFP cited a police source as saying, “Strict medical records were needed for members of the gay community because such people have a high risk of contracting sexually-transmitted infections through infectious diseases.” The source also noted that sexual minorities should behave so as not provoke conflict. Conflicts with sexual minorities can lead tragedy because of society intolerance to gays and lesbians.
The homosexual theme is taboo in Tajik society and representatives of sexual minorities attempt to conceal their sexual-minority identities, since, according to them, they face hostility.
A report, released by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) several years ago, says there are about 30,000 gays in Tajikistan. However, the Interior Ministry denies this report as unfounded.
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