RUSSIA: Court Rules That Kostroma's Pride Parade Was Wrongly Banned

Last year the Russian city of Kostroma banned two gay pride demonstrations. Today a court in that region ruled that the bans were wrongly imposed. Via Gay Star News:

The Presidium of Kostroma Regional Court - the highest court in the region - has ruled two rallies held last year in June protesting against the nationwide ‘gay propaganda’ ban should have been allowed to go ahead. The six judges heard from gay rights activist Nikolai Alekseev as well as the western Russian’s city local government that banned the event. Lawyers fighting for the ban on gay rights protests claimed the organizers would ‘promote non-traditional sexual relations’. They also claimed the police would not be able to ensure the safety of all participants in the protests. But the judges said LGBTI people deserve a right to freedom of expression and protection from discrimination. Following the announcement, Alekseev announced he would be serving Kostroma with notice of a new Pride and other gay rights events held in public.

Kostroma has a population of 250,000 and is a popular port of call for cruise ships.