It’s really hard to be out in Brighton, you will hear a lot of comments. “This is the first attempt to decrease homophobia here and its great. “A lot of people in Brighton know me, and I did not want them to know,” she explained. L., in her 30s, lives in Brighton and has come out only to her family she therefore preferred to watch the parade from the sidelines. “I think twice about what to wear when I come here.” “I don’t feel comfortable here, it reminds me of Brezhnev’s times in the Soviet Union,” added Leon. Both say that members of the LGBT community can be denied service in local cafes or shops, fired from local businesses, suffer verbal abuse and even get attacked. I would say among the younger generation, its about 50-50,” retorted his friend Leon, who doesn't live in Brighton but ventures to the neighborhood when he's overcome with nostalgia for Russian food. But the younger generation is more accepting.” Still, there was one granny who yelled out that we should be beaten with sticks. “The march moved along peacefully and it’s great that it happened. “They are afraid to speak out now, but when it's one-on-one, they are not opposed to violence,” said a young man named Dima. Some pointed to the heavy police presence and the large number of the participants, around 300 people, as the reason that those who disapproved kept their distance. It’s an ugliness and God will stop it.”Īfter the parade, participants admitted they feared the reactions of locals and were relieved that the march ended peacefully. “They are stopping evolution, and in both the Bible and in the Torah it says that it’s a sin – Sodom and Gomorrah. “We are surprised that the police and the government supports it,” added his wife, Ariada. “I don’t care who they sleep with, but I’m against a public display.” Anatoly, who has lived in Brighton for 20 years, added that he thought most locals share his views. Even more, it’s offensive,” said Anatoly as he watched the parade from a bench on the boardwalk. Misha Friedman/AFPīut others were less welcoming. Patrons of a Russian restaurant in Brighton Beach watch the Russian-speaking LGBT pride parade on the boardwalk, Brooklyn, May 20, 2017. But life teaches tolerance and as years pass, you learn that people have rights, even if they are different.” Yes, we were brought up a certain way in the Soviet Union, with a certain rigidity, and so we bring it with us anywhere we go. “Even in a small community like ours there are many different people who have different views. “Why should people go all the way to Manhattan to express themselves?” she asked, referring to the large annual gay pride parade that takes place on Fifth Avenue. Polina Gurevich, 76, has lived in Brighton for 14 years. We do live in the 21st century, and it is time to accept them.”
“Our community was educated in the Soviet Union, but they want to show that they exist, they are also here. “They are right to bring the parade here,” said Ira Bammi, 54. Many welcomed the first gay pride march in the neighborhood. While drag queens wearing traditional Russian headdresses danced to a live band accompanying the parade, residents of Brighton Beach gathered on the boardwalk to inquire about the meaning of the commotion. Russian-speaking gay, lesbian, transgender and queer people, accompanied by families and friends, waved signs proclaiming, “Brighton Beach is our home.” Others referenced the Jewish background of many Brighton residents: “Homophobia is not Kosher,” “Shalom Brighton.” With these signs, as well as others featuring Soviet jokes such as “There is enough sausage for everyone,” participants called on the Russian-speaking community to accept its LGBT members. Israel's top-ranking military lawyer: I never felt discriminated against for being gay
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In recent years, it has again become a refuge – this time for LGBT asylum-seekers fleeing homophobic persecution in Russia and other former Soviet republics. The neighborhood has been home for immigrants from the former Soviet Union for decades. NEW YORK - The Brighton Beach boardwalk witnessed history on Saturday as the first Russian-American Pride Parade descended on the heart of the Russian-speaking community in the United States. Participants of the Russian-speaking LGBT pride parade hold the flag of Moldova on the Brighton Beach boardwalk, Brooklyn, May 20, 2017.