Petrelis Files

Russian Gay: 
No UN Action; Blog Must be Restored

A controversy is playing out related to potential anti-Semitic remarks written by Russian gay activist Nikolai Alexeyev on his now-deleted blog, and his speaking tour of America this week and next. For an good recap of the key players, issues and questions, check out Karen Ocamb's post at her blog LGBT POV.

As Nikolai has attempted to control the debate stemming from his comments and behavior, using some Soviet underhandedness including blocking two persons from the Gays w/o Borders listserv and deleting his blog, a few questions have crossed my mind. I hope they help shape the continuing controversy.

1. Since the troubles started with remarks Nikolai wrote at his blog, http://alexeyev.livejournal.com/465479.html , and then excerpted by the international gay nightmare known as Scott Long who was forced out of Human Rights Watch for conduct unbecoming a leading researcher, I believe the blog in question should be available for all to see. No one is helped when, like the Soviets, an unflattering article or blog is totally removed from the web or history books. If there's nothing wrong with what Nikolai, then why can't we simply see the blog and not be dependent only upon the excerpts presented by Scott?

2. Nikolai is touring USA cities where there are Russian consulates, and in New York a mission to the United Nations, and I've seen nothing about him staging either a rally or press conference at any of his government's offices over here. In addition to shaking up Gay Inc and street activists with his sometimes twisted rationales, Nikolai could also engage in activism, activism that would feed two birds with one seed. If he staged a protest at Russia's UN mission or at the San Francisco consulate, he would deliver a message to his government and attract mainstream media with American activists at his side. Why no action at the UN mission?

3. We know Nikolai has acted dictatorially against myself and Yasmin Durrani at the Gays w/o Borders listserv, unilaterally deciding to teach us lessons of import only to him. While my posting privileges have been restored, I don't know if Yarmin's able to post again, but his questionable actions bring up related questions. Has he restricted others from posting or joining GWB? Censored messages? If yes, who and why need to be addressed. The GWB members need to choose if we want a single person running the listserv, and how to put membership and moderation in the hands of 2-3 people. Will Nikolai endorse this expansion of GWB control?

4. Karen's blog reported a friend of Nikolai's said this was posted recently to his Facebook page:

IT IS TIME TO SHAKE CASTRO! AND I WILL DO IT! SO THAT THOSE WHO FORGOT WHAT IS GAY ACTIVISM SWITCH ON THEIR BRAIN AGAIN AND NOT CONCEAL BEHIND THE NAME OF HARVEY MILK!

Putin’s police brutality is nothing to compare with the brutality of Californian Gay Establishment.

This gay activist who has supposedly forgotten what gay activism is quite interested in this shaking and quaking promise of Nikolai's. I'm also keen to learn how the gay establishment here, and who he thinks comprises it, is brutal. Let's hope he soon gives San Francisco's gay community the details on his performance here.