Moscow authorities have rejected an application by gay activists to hold a march in support of bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst of Austria, the winner of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest.
The activists' website says an application to hold "The Conchita Wurst March of Bearded Women and Men" in Moscow was rejected by the Moscow mayor's office on May 14.
The activists had planned the march for May 27, the 21st anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexual relations in Russia.
Wurst, whose real name is Thomas Neuwirth, won Eurovision in Copenhagen on May 10.
Gay activist Nikolai Alekseyev called the decision to ban the march illegal and vowed to appeal it.
Alekseyev also said activists will officially ask the Moscow mayor's office for permission to hold a gay-pride parade in Moscow on May 31.
The activists' website says an application to hold "The Conchita Wurst March of Bearded Women and Men" in Moscow was rejected by the Moscow mayor's office on May 14.
The activists had planned the march for May 27, the 21st anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexual relations in Russia.
Wurst, whose real name is Thomas Neuwirth, won Eurovision in Copenhagen on May 10.
Gay activist Nikolai Alekseyev called the decision to ban the march illegal and vowed to appeal it.
Alekseyev also said activists will officially ask the Moscow mayor's office for permission to hold a gay-pride parade in Moscow on May 31.