Free Republic

"We are conducting a peaceful action. We want to show that we have the same rights as other citizens," Alexeyev told a news conference a few hours before events turned violent. The crowd opposed to gay rights and the rally included women who held up religious icons. They were joined by men in Cossack traditional dress — white sheepskin hats and black-and-red tunics. Police quickly moved in as the first half-dozen rally participants arrived carrying flowers. They were joined by about 100 religious and nationalist extremists who kicked and punched some of the activists. As Volker Beck, a Green member...

CENSORS in China have banned the screening of Brokeback Mountain because they object to its homosexual content. The film is directed by the hugely popular Taiwanese director Ang Lee, whose 2000 Oscar-winning film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon helped to raise the profile of Chinese cinema internationally. But a report by the official Xinhua News Agency said that the film's "sensitive topic" of gay love meant that it could not be screened. World Trade Organisation rules require China to screen a minimum of 20 foreign films a year. Gay activists in China have regularly complained of harassment and discrimination. Last month,...