You have to laugh at this one "they came to the registry office and only found there, that they couldn't marry" Well why were all those camera men following them, why was RT there. Can't seem to remember these numbers of reporters at my wedding, just in case some 'surprise' problem came up. Please report the facts RT. The couple went with full knowledge of the legal position, to make a point in front of national and international media - and what is wrong with that, or saying that, it is the truth. I have no problems with the rights issue here, but what I do have an issue with, is trying to push the issue down everyones' throuats and deliberately try to aim for confrontation, by targeting events to conflict with. Every one should have a right to peacefuly protest, but that right shouldn't extend to deliberately trying to sabbotage other peoples rights. The problem is, that sabottage is the role of the some misguided non true activists, to push their rights in promotion and detriment to other's rights.. The genuine people with the problem, just want it solved with the help of true activists. The duty to resolve confict, has to lay with the authorities, I think it is pretty reasonable to stop an event, if the purpose of the event is to dirupt someone else's rights. There are 365 days in most years, that should be ample space to fit in most protests, events ..... For my book, every one needs to show a bit of common sense, and block out some days for protest, and other days for events, even have a special protest area, which could even add focus. However, don't expect me to agree with the activists, on any side, who just want confronattion, just because it meets their ego needs. They should have held this on a different day!

Shame on Russia! All people have the right to protest and be themself without being violated by the state.

In the UK and other parts of the civilised free world gay parades are viewed as expressions by a minority of the sexual orientation they were born with and can't help having. In that respect their participants are just like other people with other sexual orientations who were born with them, and can't help having them. All that people who disapprove need to do is simply stay away. Toleration is a mark of respect for the diversity of humanity. No amount of appeals to scripture, or to "order", or to violent and ignorant prejudice, can argue their way out of that. No society is at peace with itself, or truly "orderly", that persecutes its minorities or dissidents. With its long history of oppression Russia might have learned this simple lesson by now.

Now I am laughing even more; the UK, the one that beats protesters to death, the one who shoots civilians dead on the underground, the one that aids in the torture of its own citizens, the one monitoring its population on a minute by minute basis with cameras, with wire taps, with internet monitoring. The one that is encouraging neighbours to inform on one another. The one with Soviet arbitary anti social behaviour orders, The list is endless, A pretty free place, or more a police state. Well maybe free with every chocolate bar! No one argues that people shouldn't be allowed to protest, however each society is free to decide, what moral codes it wants to hold to. It is Russia's decision, where it wants to set the bar. It is the protesters perogative to try to change it. But don't lecture Russia, where to set the bar. This is a normal process. Not so long ago, Paedophilia was legal in Sweden. Would the UK, have been happy to see protests supporting this on its streets, claiming it was just the way these people were biologically made. I very much doubt it! The problem, is that some want to foist their views on others, through a downright confrontational stance. Sometimes with even alterior motives of external actors. So let the natural process go on of Russian protest, for Russians, in a sutable format, and let us find our own way in Russia amongs ourselves, because there is little of moral worth, in Europe to take anything from. I am neutral on this particular issue, but I respect other more numerous citizens stances. These are the ones who need convincing, so choose the strategy well.

The repression of public expressions of Homosexuality is a hall mark of reactionary regimes. Such regimes have only recently been dissolved in western Europe. After great effort. However the identification of gay rights and Satanism by the Mayor of Moscow gives this historical process a crackpots gloss.Russia either wants to join with europe or it wants government by religious divination. It can't have both.

Who organises theses marches an outfit called GayRussia like GaySerbia is financed by George Soros who also wants to legalise drugs. It is a simple fact that gays have the highest rate of HIV, percentage of mental disorders and suicide rates. So why would you promote such a lifestyle http://brothersjuddblog.com/archives/2005/03/living_and_dying_with_the_choi_1.html

Russia did the right thing.. End of Story..

I would say let them match it does not disturb anyone in the countries where it is held regularly. However I would like to point out that in most " Civilised free world" as someone kept it, Same sex marriages are still illegal

Well done Russia. Its great to see that there are still places in the world where decent people are willing to resist the insidious gay agenda. Gays should just be thankful that they can live their lives without being carted off to prison. Demanding "respect" and "acceptance" is just too much, and is the thin end of the wedge. Next comes gay marriage, the right to adopt children, and the right to educate schoolchildren about gay lifestyle (a thinly disguised way for predatory pederasts to prey on young children and recruit future victims).

Glory to Russia! I was worried at first that Moscow would allow the protest. I'm glad they didn't, they did the right thing.

Greece is the mother of Orthodoxy and a country where the population is 99% Orthodox. But it also the destination of many homosexuals who travel half way around the globe to enjoy the free and bon enfant atmosphere found nowhere else. The Orthodox Church is against homosexuals there also, but you won't find anyone aggressive behavior anywhere either. Many Greek politicians are homosexuals, and gay parades are free for all throughout the country. Greece is a truly free and definitely democratic State. Greece civilized Russia over a thousand years ago by giving the country its name, religion and state symbols! Why can't Russians learn from their fellow Orthodox Greeks and stop being so ... primitive? Yes! I agree: shame on violent and disrespectful Russia! Whatever is wrong with respecting the other, if we respect ourselves?

This sort of thing is why Russia is a laughing stock to the world. Freedom of expression is not just for the majority but those the majority disagree with as well. They ban the gay protest because they 'cannot guarantee the protection of participants' but allow the anti-gay marches of those who threaten the violence- what hypocrisy! Must the gays threaten to bash Christians before they are allowed to march?

You are completely right, Mr/Mrs/Ms Count Cash. The UK is in a bad way in all the respects you have listed. It is being said that we are drifting or sleepwalking into a police state. I am very concerned about it, and am not defending the indefensible. However, my comments about legally protected liberties for gay people, and social attitudes, are still true. And I am not persuaded that a moral code based on superstition or prejudice, backed by violence and oppression, is a better moral code in the context of this particular topic, than one based on tolerance, respect, and legal protection.

Horrible reality, impressively progressive coverage by RT. Thanks RT!

Why would any authority ban something because they cannot guarantee protection>

Maybe, because they have a slight aversion to people getting killed and seriously injured, or shouldn't the right to life be protected!

Marriage respects NATURAL LAW, good to see mother Russia doing the right thing ....