Valery Gergiev concert picketed by gay rights supporters - The Guardian

Peter Tatchell at a protest against Valery Gergiev and anti-gay laws in Russia at the Barbican. Photograph: Sean Smith for the Guardian

Around 60 people gathered outside London^[1] 's Barbican on Thursday night, chanting "human rights for Russia^[2] " and "stop supporting tyranny" before a concert conducted by Valery Gergiev^[3] , the target of a number of recent gay rights^[4] protests.

They included retired teacher David Sylph and his civil partner Malcolm Wren, who had travelled from York for the London Symphony Orchestra^[5] 's performance of The Last Damnation of Faust.

"We love the music," said Sylph, a retired teacher. "But we're very unhappy that Valery Gergiev is a friend and supporter of Putin who has introduced these anti-gay laws in Russia, as a result of which gay people are being attacked all over the country. We want him to denounce those laws."

Sylph and Wren, an examiner, said they would not applaud Gergiev but would applaud the orchestra, chorus and singers. "We're going to the concert because we love Berlioz, but we need to protest."

Gergiev, the principal conductor of the LSO, has been targeted because of his closeness to Putin.

In New York there were interruptions by members of Queer Nation at the Met and the Carnegie Hall, while in London Peter Tatchell last week marched on to the stage in full evening dress to denounce the conductor^[6] .

Gergiev tried to head off the protest by releasing a statement on Wednesday^[7] in which he said he did not discriminate against people, gay or otherwise, and added: "It is wrong to suggest that I have ever supported anti-gay legislation and in all my work I have upheld equal rights for all people. I am an artist and have for over three decades worked with tens of thousands of people and many of them are indeed my friends."

The statement did not go far enough for some. The novelist Philip Hensher tweeted: "Gergiev summarised: 'Some of my best friends are gay. I don't support institutional homophobia. I leave that up to my friend Putin.'"

Gergiev's case was not helped by comments he made to the Dutch newspaper Volkskrant on 10 September in which he said: "In Russia we do everything we can to protect children from paedophiles. This law is not about homosexuality, it targets paedophilia. But I have too busy a schedule to explore this matter in detail."

Last night's protest was loud – because of megaphones – but civilised.

Clare Summerskill, a writer and performer, said she was there in solidarity with all LGBT people in Russia. "Because some of our support does get through from what I can see on the internet. They need to know that people are doing things on their behalf."

There was a strong African contingent among the protesters. Julius Kakaire said he was there as a gay Ugandan "in solidarity with our friends in Russia".

He added: "By keeping the issue alive people who are passing through here will talk to their politicians."

Paul Penny, who works for London Underground, said he was frustrated that Gergiev "continues to support Putin with his homophobic policies. If he could only speak out against these policies – we just want him to be supportive of human rights and LGBT rights."

The demonstration drew activists and one-off protesters alike. One well-dressed man apologised for leaving early because he had to get to The Magic Flute across town at the Coliseum.

Tatchell, who will keep up his anti-Putin protests – although Gergiev may get a respite – said he was pleased at the turnout. "I am glad that we have managed to picket Gergiev's concert, we are sending a message to him and all the celebrity backers of Putin. Endorsing a tyrannical regime is unacceptable."

References

1. ^{^} More from the Guardian on London (www.theguardian.com)


2. ^{^} More from the Guardian on Russia (www.theguardian.com)


3. ^{^} More from the Guardian on Valery Gergiev (www.theguardian.com)


4. ^{^} More from the Guardian on Gay rights (www.theguardian.com)


5. ^{^} More from the Guardian on London Symphony Orchestra (www.theguardian.com)


6. ^{^} denounce the conductor (www.theguardian.com)


7. ^{^} releasing a statement on Wednesday (www.theguardian.com)