Amnesty stages ballet protest outside Russian embassy over anti-gay laws

Amnesty International has staged a protest against Russia’s anti-gay laws by getting ballet dancers to perform outside the Russian embassy in London.

The ballet dancers today braved the rain and wore the message “Proud To Protest” across their costumes.

To the tune of gay Russian composer Tchaikovsky’s ‘Song of the Swans’, two male and two female performers danced in front of press and dozens of activists.

After the protest, a petition with over 10,000 signatures, calling on Russia to drop its laws banning freedom of expression, was handed into the embassy.

On Wednesday, Downing Street said Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision not to attend next month’s Winter Olympics was not because of Russia’s stance on gay rights.

Princess Anne, a former Olympic equestrian competitor, Lord Coe and Culture Secretary Maria Miller will lead the British delegation.

Earlier this week, the mayor of Sochi said there are no gay people in his city.

• Dec 01 2023

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