Thursday, February 13, 2014

Drop the "gay propaganda" charges against Elena Klimova

I got this from Amnesty International:

http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=6oJCLQPAJiJUG&b=6645049&aid=520599&msource=W1402EAIAR2B

Meet Elena Klimova, the latest victim of Russia's new "gay propaganda" law.


Defend Elena.

Copyright: Natalia Korelina
Russian authorities are going to absurd lengths to punish LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) people and defenders of LGBTI human rights.

Elena Klimova has created a safe space for LGBTI teens in a country rife with homophobia. Urge authorities to drop the charges against her and quit prosecuting people under Russia's homophobic legislation.
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Dear Tracy,

Elena Klimova saves lives. And for that, Russian authorities would like to punish her.

Please join us in rising to Elena's defense.

Elena is a journalist and founder of Children 404, a popular online resource that supports LGBTI teens in Russia. It's a safe space for teenagers to share their stories, get support and obtain advice from experienced psychologists.

Elena's Children 404 has prevented teenagers from committing suicide and running away from home. She's easing their isolation and making their world a little better, right?

Not according to Russian authorities. They want to shut Children 404 down, and have charged Elena with "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations."

Elena has called the charges "an extreme level of madness."

Agreed.

Let's get her back to defending the rights of LGBTI youth in Russia. Urge Russian authorities to drop the charges against Elena and stop prosecuting people under this homophobic law.

Children 404 was named as an allusion to the message "404 Page not found" that you see when a web page does not exist.

But you and I know that LGBTI youth do exist, and they need help dealing with violence, discrimination and psychological attacks. The so-called "gay propaganda" law that Russian parliament passed last June only makes the environment of homophobia worse. Elena gave youth hope, a hope that Russian authorities would like to crush.

Amnesty exists to defend the human rights of people like Elena and the children with whom she works. Your action today makes that defense strong and effective.

Stand with Elena and demand that the "gay propaganda" law be repealed.

Thank you for all you do to protect human dignity and human rights.

In solidarity,

Jasmine Heiss
Campaigner, Individuals and Communities at Risk
Amnesty International USA

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