ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, July 14 (UPI) -- A Russian gay rights organization has appealed to the European Court of Human Rights over bans on gay pride parades in St. Petersburg.
Local media said Ravnopravie ("Equality") describes the ban as "disguised discrimination," RIA Novosti reported.
Fourteen activists were convicted of administrative violations for participating in a rally on June 25, 2011. It was held after St. Petersburg authorities refused a permit for a parade.
The city also rejected an application for a permit for a rally this July. In February, the city's legislative assembly adopted a law that imposes large fines for "the propaganda of homosexuality and pedophilia among minors" and specifically bans gay pride parades.
Yury Gavrikov, a gay rights activist in St. Petersburg, said the refusal to grant permits for parades violates Russian law.
