Police detain Russian gay rights leader Nikolai Alexeyev after he arrived with a man dressed in a bridal gown at an unsanctioned gay rights protest in Moscow. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
MOSCOW - MOSCOW police have violently dispersed a gay pride parade banned by the authorities.
Riot police broke up a protest by around 20 gay pride activists, dragging them into detention buses. Activists called Russia's homophobia 'a disgrace'.
City authorities had barred Saturday's rally saying it was morally wrong. Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov has described homosexuality as 'satanic'.
The detentions come as Moscow prepares to host the final of the Eurovision song contest, Europe's most prestigious pop music contest.
The international competition has drawn attention to gay rights in Russia, with some singers threatening to boycott the event if the gay pride parade was not allowed to happen. -- AP
