Moldova Pride 2009

Due to the post election violence in the streets of Chisinau, the Board of GenderDoc-M took the decision to postpone the planned demonstration for the adoption of comprehensive anti discrimination law until 10 December on International Human Rights Day. The organizers believed that there was little chance that the police would adequately protect demonstrators and the risk of violence had increased after the events of April. In addition, the continuing absence of a confirmed government means that the key audience for such an action is not in place.

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The above was explained to Moldovan journalists in a press-conference on May 5. The same press-conference was very well attended by the religious right – an organised opposition to the LGBT movement, who brought over to Moldova the infamous US homophobe Paul Cameron. Surprisingly (or not?), the latter was disappointed with the decision of the pride organisers to postpone the public manifestation – they were looking forward to organising counter-demonstrations again, and now were left without work.

The pride was well attended by activists from the entire former Soviet Union - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Belarus. The program included a round table on freedom of assembly, another round table on the perspectives of women’s movement, a series of workshops on patriarchy, psychology and art, and, of course, concerts and parties.

The panel of the round table on freedom of assembly included representatives of Moldovan mainstream human rights groups – Resource Centre for Human Rights NGOs CREDO and Amnesty International, as well as international expert and member of the OSCE expert committee on freedom of assembly Michael Hamilton. Having covered the ground of international standards, the situation in Moldova and actions in case of a problematic public manifestation, the floor was opened to the participants. They were most interested in defining public morality (the argument most commonly used in bans of prides in ex-USSR), alternative ways of public protest in situations where authorities ban events and the police does not offer proper protection, and shared their experiences of organising flash mobs.

Another interesting round table was held the following day on the perspectives of development of the women’s movement in the post-Soviet countries. The participants – mostly lesbian and bisexual women activists from the region – shared their experiences of working for the women’s communities and debated ways forward. It was noted particularly, that women’s component of “LGBT” is getting stronger by year, more visible, and needs more resources to carry out activities, so needed by the communities. A declaration was adopted by the end of the event – an address to governments and societies calling for more rights and acceptance.

On Saturday morning a group of about forty pride participants in a now established Pride tradition, laid flowers to the monument of the oppressed (erected on the place, where Jews were murdered by Nazis during the World War II). Even laying of flowers has been problematic for GenderDoc-M in the past: the way was always blocked by the police. Not this year. About 5 plain clothes policemen were there to film, nothing more, and even allowed Mr. Marcicov, the Chair of GenderDoc-M, to give a short inspiring speech. In a hostile Moldovan context, even the ability to lay flowers without problems at a monument on the outskirts of the city is seen as an important victory.

The ‘serious’ events were mixed with three parties on each of pride evenings. The opening ceremony on May 7 included awards to those, who have supported the movement over 2008: the most tolerant journalist, businessman, NGO leader. A mother received the award ‘For Courage’ – she is now completely isolated in her small village after everyone found out her son was gay, but did not disown him. The closing ceremony included the already traditional international beauty context for transvestites “Mrs. Flawless Queen”. The winner – Dana National from Ukraine.

Our gratitude goes to all the organisers and supporters of Moldovan Pride. It was a great experience, powerful in contents, but most importantly – in energy and synergy among people from all across the Newly Independent States… Looking forward to the next year!