Urgent - Russia about to silence millions

In 24 hours, political leaders in Russia will vote on a law that makes speaking out as a gay, lesbian, bi, or trans person ILLEGAL. Join the movement now: if thousands of us raise our voices, they will be forced to speak out and stop this horrific law: This is unbelievable. Tomorrow, political leaders in St. Petersburg are going to vote on a new law that will make it illegal to speak in public about being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Activists around the country are doing everything they can to stop it but they are afraid that it won't be enough -- the bill could even spread nationwide if we don't speak up.  They need support from around the world - and they need it fast. Will you take 2 minutes to add your voice to our urgent call? We are in touch with embassies all around the world and will deliver the petition very soon: www.allout.org/russia_silenced Because Russia is powerful, most world leaders have stayed silent. But if we raise our voices now, we'll shine an international spotlight on the issue that will be impossible to ignore.  If the law passes this week in St. Petersburg, it could quickly lead to a crushing of freedoms throughout all of Russia. Moscow, the largest city in the country, already said they were looking into passing the same law - paving the way for officials to make it national. Our friends in Russia believe that stopping the bill in St. Petersburg can derail the plan to take this law nationwide.  Many around the world have been reluctant to criticize the ruling party led by President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin, but their party appointed both the mayors of Moscow and St. Petersburg and they've gone on record in support of the proposed laws.   www.allout.org/russia_silenced Russia is already a dangerous place to be out and open as an lesbian, gay, bi or trans (LGBT) person. Courageous pride marchers were brutally attacked and detained by Moscow police last summer - for the simple act of holding their heads up high in public. If this bill passes, even the small victories that the LGBT movement in Russia has won will be wiped out - and pride marches, cultural festivals, and even the distribution of leaflets in the streets will be considered illegal. Moments like this highlight exactly why we launched All Out just over a year ago: to stand with our friends around the world when they’re under attack, and to keep opportunistic governments from playing politics with fundamental rights. Please sign this urgent call, share it with your friends, and stand in solidarity with our brave friends in Russia - Coming Out, Side by Side LGBT Film Festival, and the Russian LGBT-Network - who are refusing to be silenced: www.allout.org/russia_silenced All the best and All Out, Andre, Emmy, Erika, Flavia, Guillaume, Jeremy, Joseph, Oli, Tile, Wesley and the rest of the team at All Out SOURCES: St. Petersburg's Anti-Gay Propaganda Bill Scheduled For A Second Vote thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/02/02/417107/st-petersburgs-anti-gay-propaganda-bill-scheduled-for-a-second-vote/ Draconian Bill Outlawing LGBT Activities and Gay 'Propaganda' is Back on the Table in St. Petersburg, Russia www.towleroad.com/2012/02/russiastpete.html Tolerance, not gay bans www.themoscownews.com/editorial/20111117/189213196.html Russia’s gays under attack as MPs back fines for ‘gay promotion’ en.ria.ru/analysis/20111118/168818571.html All Out is bringing people together in every corner of the planet and of every identity - lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender and all that’s between and beyond - to build a world in which everyone can live freely and be embraced for who they are. Our mailing address is: Purpose Foundation 224 Centre St New York, NY 10013 Copyright © 2012 AllOut.org, All rights reserved.