ARGENTINA: Gay activists stage a "kiss off" outside Russia's embassy in Buenos Aires ahead of a visit by President Vladimir Putin to Argentina

Record ID: 405228

  • Title: ARGENTINA: Gay activists stage a "kiss off" outside Russia's embassy in Buenos Aires ahead of a visit by President Vladimir Putin to Argentina
  • Date: 11th July 2014
  • Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (JULY 10, 2014) (REUTERS) ***NIGHT SHOTS*** POLICE OUTSIDE RUSSIAN EMBASSY PROTESTERS OUTSIDE EMBASSY RUSSIAN FLAG AT EMBASSY VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS WITH ANTI-PUTIN PLACARD VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS VARIOUS OF PROTESTER WITH PLACARD THAT READS "RUSSIA STOP BULLYING" MORE OF PROTESTER WITH A PLACARD POLICE ON DUTY COUPLE KISSING PROTEST ORGANISER MARCELO FERREYRA OUTSIDE RUSSIAN EMBASSY (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PROTEST ORGANISER, MARCELO FERREYRA, SAYING: "We've been here for a little while for a peaceful protest, a kiss off for a visit from Russia's representative, Mr. Putin, representative of a country where democracy for partners of the same sex doesn't exist, there can be no public protesters of this type and of course, much less, kissing." PROTESTER PLAYING TAMBOURINE VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS KISSING PROTEST ORGANISER GUSTAVO PECORARO SPEAKING TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PROTEST ORGANISER, GUSTAVO PECORARO, SAYING: "Cristina Kirchner represents this country, Argentina, and Putin represents a country which criminalises homosexuals, lesbians and transgender people. We know that this (visit) is capitalism, he's come to sign economic deals and it's difficult for this issue to be raised so this is why we are here in front of the Russian embassy. They have fenced off our protest, the entrance, it looks as if they are afraid of us because we feel free and for them freedom is scary." WOMAN CHANTING "FREEDOM TO LIVE" VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS HOLDING PLACARD PROTESTER HOLDING UP IMAGE OF PUTIN WEARING MAKE UP GENERAL OF PROTEST
  • Embargoed: 26th July 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics,People
  • Reuters ID: LVA4SW6PWA6QCJE7JA53M23U6T99
  • Story Text: Love was in the air in Buenos Aires on Thursday (July 10) as scores of gay activists converged on the Russian Embassy for a kiss off to condemn Russia's gay rights policies ahead of a visit from President Vladimir Putin to strengthen existing ties with its key South American partner.
    Putin is expected to arrive on Saturday (July 12) in Argentina, the first Latin American country to let gay couples marry and adopt children.
    Argentina's position on the issue is in stark contrast to Russia, whose parliament has given preliminary approval to a ban on "homosexual propaganda" targeting minors, which critics say would effectively ban gay rights demonstrations.
    Gay activists said they are exercising their democratic right to protest outside Russia's Argentina embassy.
    "We've been here for a little while for a peaceful protest, a kiss off for a visit from Russia's representative, Mr. Putin, representative of a country where democracy for partners of the same sex doesn't exist, there can be no public protesters of this type and of course, much less, kissing," said protest organiser Marcelo Ferreyra.
    Putin's Argentina visit will be part of a six-day regional tour which includes a visit to Cuba and Brazil, where the Russian leader will seek to broaden bilateral ties in the areas of energy, transportation, aviation and health.
    "Cristina Kirchner represents this country, Argentina, and Putin represents a country which criminalises homosexuals, lesbians and transgender people. We know that this (visit) is capitalism, he's come to sign economic deals and it's difficult for this issue to be raised so this is why we are here in front of the Russian embassy. They have fenced off our protest, the entrance, it looks as if they are afraid of us because we feel free and for them freedom is scary," said another protester organiser, Gustavo Pecoraro.
    Putin has defended Russia's "gay propaganda" law by saying it is needed to protect young people.
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