Moscow Refuses to Authorize Gay Pride Parade

The Moscow Times reports Moscow city authorities have refused to authorize a gay pride parade planned to take place later this month claiming "there is no need for such events in the city."

Nevertheless, gay activists have vowed they would still hold the event May 25 whether or not they were granted permission, as authorities have refused to authorize a pride parade every year since the first was requested in 2006.

The news is only the latest in the escalating tensions surrounding the issues of LGBT rights in Russia. The pride parade's rejection comes only a few days after a gay man's brutal murder in the southern city of Volgograd grabbed headlines. The 23-year-old was raped with beer bottles and killed after coming out to his drinking companions.

Additionally, gay U.K. band the Irrepressibles, who recently premiered their newest single, "Two Men in Love," on Out.com, have planned to perform a free concert in Gorky Park in Moscow May 21. Front man Jaime McDermott intends for the concert to raise awareness of the political obstacles currently facing the LGBT Russians and the country's attitude toward homosexuality. "Our name is the Irrepressibles for a reason, McDermott said in a press release, "and we will not be content until our message of unabashed universal love reaches every corner of the planet."