Petrelis Files

US Activist Supports Gay Latvia in Time of Trouble

In a message dated 7/24/2006 12:56:07 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, maris.selga@mfa.gov.lv writes:

Dear Mr. Petrelis,

Thank you very much for your email. As per your request your email has been transfered to authorities in Latvia.

With best regards,
Maris Selga
DCM


July 21, 2006

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mr. Maris Riekstins
Embassy of Latvia
2306 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington DC 20008
Telephone: (202) 328-2840
Fax: (202) 328-2860
e-mail: Embassy@Latvia-USA.org

Dear Ambassador Riekstins:

I wish to state my solidarity, as a gay American tremendously concerned about the human rights abuses of my brothers and sisters across our world, with gay Latvians and your country's gay human rights group Moziaka, as they respond to your government's denial of permits for a gay pride celebration.

The following letter of support for gay Latvians was sent to my colleagues in Riga, and I request you forward it to your government.

I will call you on Monday to follow up on this petition for Latvia to honor the right of gays to peaceably assemble in the streets of Riga this weekend.

Regards,
Michael Petrelis
Co-Organizer, July 19 Day of Action for Gay Iran
San Francisco, CA


July 21, 2006

Dear Gay Friends and Family in Latvia:

I was greatly disappointed to read about Latvian authorities denying you the right to peaceably and publicly assemble in Riga for gay pride this year. From America's number one gay city, I extend strong support to you as gays in Latvia struggle for tolerance and respect of their human rights. A letter of protest will be sent to Latvia's ambassador to in Washington, DC, calling on him to convey to his superiors that America stands in solidarity with you. Gays in America will not be silent as your human rights are curtailed.

Best,
Michael

For info on Mozaika, Latvia's gay group organizing the pride festival, go here. Details on the festival are here. And UK Gay News has the story on the cancellation of the pride event.