Russia Bans Country’s Most Popular LGBT Website BlueSystem Without Warning

BlueSystem.ru, one of Russia’s most popular LGBT websites has been blocked without warning.

Described as the biggest news portal on the Internet in Russia, BlueSystem was visited by more than 100,000 people a day.

Administrators were not aware that a case was taking place and have not received any reason for the decision by a court in the Siberian town of Parable to block the site.

Russian media watchdog Roskomnadzor bans Pornhub, YouPorn & Bluesystem.ru one of the top gay news & dating sites @MMuravyeva pic.twitter.com/A2RUCQcAzv

— Jad Adams (@JadAdamsAuthor) September 24, 2016

On its Vkontakte page, BlueSystem wrote “The Kremlin is afraid of gays. On the eve of the State Duma elections, the Kremlin mobilized its repressive machine and blocked the most popular Runet gay site.”

Russia’s telecom regulator blocks BlueSystem.ru, the country’s most popular LGBT news site. t.co/5NFm8JCPOB

— oDR (@opendemocracyru) September 20, 2016

Tanya Lokshina, Russia program director for Human Rights Watch, told The Daily Beast:

“LGBT resources get blocked as part of a broader crackdown on freedom of expression online. The authorities are also attempting to shut down Children-404 (Deti-404), an online support group for LGBT teens.”

RELATED: Russia Bans Social Network Support Group For LGBT Teens: VIDEO

Pavel Lobkov, a Russian television anchor, said:

“The BlueSystem website was mainly popular as a dating resource. Dating on the internet is like water flowing downhill, it finds its own level, and people will always find a new way to date online. The authorities do not understand that their banning machine is pushing LGBT people to hang out in parks, meet under trees, that sort of thing, which would definitely increase crime in Russia, as has happened in countries like Morocco.”

BlueSystem can still be accessed outside Russia.

According to the Moscow Times, European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA-Europe) ranks Russia in 48th place out of 49 European countries for their promotion of LGBT rights.

The post Russia Bans Country’s Most Popular LGBT Website BlueSystem Without Warning appeared first on Towleroad.

Russia Bans Country’s Most Popular LGBT Website BlueSystem Without Warning

Pope Francis Voices Support For 80,000-Strong Anti-Gay Protest Against Same-Sex Marriage in Mexico

Pope Francis has voiced his support for an anti-gay protest in Mexico over the weekend which was attended by up to 80,000 people.

Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said the rally against same-sex marriage aimed to “defend our families.”

Despite saying in 2013 that LGBT people should not be “marginalized” and earlier this year suggesting the church should apologize to gay people for how they have been treated by the institution, in April he said there are “no grounds” for comparing same-sex marriages with “traditional marriages.” In August, he spoke out against transgender children, saying “Today in schools, they are teaching this to children — to children! — that everyone can choose their own gender.”

RELATED: Stephen Colbert Weighs In on the Pope’s Remarks About Gays: WATCH

At his weekly Sunday blessing yesterday, Francis said he willingly joined the Mexico protest “in favor of family and life, which in these times require special pastoral and cultural attention around the world.”

#Mexico: ‘March against gay marriage’ #MarchaPorLaFamilia: confrontation between Nazi-fascist and LGBT activists. pic.twitter.com/gR1JNpDXps

— ubique (@PersonalEscrito) September 25, 2016

According to Telesur, the protest was “organized by Catholics and the ultra-conservative National Front for the Family, who have been calling people to take to the streets to ‘defend their families and children’ against same-sex marriages and adoptions – which are human rights provided by the Mexican constitution.”

LGBT activists and human rights organizations had asked authorities to prevent the protest and punish clergy members leading the demonstration as they are violating the secularity law of Mexico.  

La marcha pro-familia en Guadalajara, Jal., el 10 de septiembre de 2016. pic.twitter.com/361i2f9mvk

— José de la Luz (@josedelaluzc) September 11, 2016

On Friday night hundreds of people gathered at the Angel de la Independencia monument in Mexico City which was lit up in pink as part of a demonstration in support of same-sex marriage.

While calling LGBT people “unstable,” Representatives of the National Front for the Family said they respect homosexuality but reject same-sex marriage.

Temistocles Villanueva, MORENA national secretary for sexual diversity, said:

“You cannot claim the freedom of expression right for these kind of protests, especially in a country where members of LGBTQ are already vulnerable to bullying, harassment, intimidation and even death threats.”

Same-sex marriage has been legalized in Mexico City and 9 of the nation’s 31 states. There are challenges in the 22 other states underway.

Last week, Father Hugo Valdemar (right), the spokesperson of Mexico’s Catholic church accused the country’s anti-discrimination watchdog, Conapred, of persecution.

The post Pope Francis Voices Support For 80,000-Strong Anti-Gay Protest Against Same-Sex Marriage in Mexico appeared first on Towleroad.

Pope Francis Voices Support For 80,000-Strong Anti-Gay Protest Against Same-Sex Marriage in Mexico

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