Russian Activist Nikolai Alexeyev Storms Off Live TV Show During Homophobic Debate

Russian gay activist Nikolai Alexeyev stormed off the stage of a TV show after an unfair debate stacked against him with Russia's version of Maggie Gallagher and a homophobic host.

Here's some of Chicago activist Andy Thayer's first-person account: Alekseev was debating Alexander Hinstein, a deputy in the State Duma (parliament) and member of Vladir Putin’s United Russia Party. The last straw was when Solovyev, host of the nationally broadcast show, Poednivo (roughly “The Dual” in English), called on an audience member who accused gays of physically threatening her young daughter.

Alekseev tore off his microphone and walked off as the cameras rolled. Shortly thereafter, the LGBT members of the audience also walked out.

The Debate was whether or not LGBTs have the legal right to assemble and protest. It is emblematic of how far our movement has to go in this country that we are basically debating our existence, and a prominent leader of the ruling party has the chutzpah to say “No!”