RUSSIA
Top Russian sexologist Igor Kon died
The famous scientist advocated for equal rights of LGBT people and fought against homophobia
Igor Kon, photo
On April 27, Top Russian scientist and sexologist Igor Kon passed away after a long illness.Igor Kon was born in Leningrad on May 21, 1928. He graduated from Herzen State Pedagogical University with a degree in history in 1947 and was awarded a candidate of sciences degree by the same university in 1950. He was awarded the doctor of sciences degree by Leningrade State University in 1959.
Kon was awarded an honorary professorship from Cornell University in 1989 and received a doctor honoris causa degree from the University of Surrey in 1992.
In 2005, the World Association for Sexual Health awarded Kon its Gold Medal for outstanding contributions to sexology.
Igor Kon devoted several of his works to the history of the gay community and its culture in Russia and abroad.
He was one of the few members of the Russian intelligentsia and academic community who spoke against homophobia and in support of a tolerant attitude towards LGBT people.
His support in favour of sexual minorities cost him hate from religious groups who often demanded that he was excluded from academic and scientifical organizations.
Igor Kon remains the founder of the Russian sexuality. His research on sexuality and the history of gay culture are fundamental works for LGBT activists in Russia.
"We met several times as he was one of the only who fully supported th LGBT community and wrote many books and articles on it. In October he was among the first to congratulate me on the European Court victory. Let him rest in peace" said Nikolai Aleksev, Moscow Pride Chief Organizer.
GayRussia.Ru
TODAY IN HISTORY
May 27
Russia decriminalized male homosexuality
In 1993, President Boris Yeltsin signed a decree which repealed the law forbidding male homosexuality. Starting from 2006, Russian gay rights activists started to celebrate this date by attempting to organize an annual gay rights march known as Moscow Gay Pride. The first edition was banned and marred with violence. It was reffered as the first Russian Stonewall.
May 17
Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
This day was founded in 2004 by French Academic Louis-Georges Tin to mark the anniversary of the declassification of homosexuality from the list of disease by the World Health Organization. Russian LGBT have been celebrating this day every year since 2005 under the leadership of Project GayRussia which was itself founded on May 17, 2005. GayRussia is Russia's coordinator of IDAHO.
May 15
Following Moscow in May 2009, Minsk was the second capital to host the Slavic Gay Pride. The March was banned and marred with violence but it did not prevent two dozens of Pride organizers from Moscow, Minsk and St. Petersburg to march over 300 meters waiving a 10meters long rainbow flag. 11 participants including some of the organizers were brutally arrested by police forces.
May 12
Lesbian same-sex couple attempt to register marriage in Moscow
2009 marked the launch of GayRussia's campaign for the opening of same-sex union of gays and lesbians in Russia. While the Constitutional Court already expressd the opinion that marriage is between a man and a woman, activists believe that the lack of partnership or marriage for gay couples is a strong point to impose legislative changes via a decision of the European Court of Human Rights.
April 11
Victory for Russian LGBT activists at the European Court of Human Rights
The five-judge panel of the Grand Chamber of the Court rejected the appeal of the Russian Federation in the Moscow Pride Ban case. The decision given on October 21 is final. By repeatedly banning Gay Pride Marches as well as other LGBT themed public action, Russia breached the European Convention on Human Rights.
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