MOSCOW, July 6 (RIA Novosti) - Sexual minorities have dropped plans for a protest outside the U.S. embassy in Moscow during President Barack Obama's visit, citing security concerns, Russian media reported on Monday.
Activists had intended to gather near the embassy on Tuesday, the second day of Obama's visit to Moscow, to protest against bans on gay pride parades in the Russian capital and to demand that same-sex unions be made legal in the country.
Organizers cited heightened security measures during the American leader's first visit to Moscow on July 6-8 as a reason for calling off the action.
Moscow authorities have previously cited security factors as a reason for banning gay parades and have said that "the overwhelming majority of society does not approve of the gay philosophy and lifestyle."
Authorities earlier branded gay parades "Satanic" and warned they would stop any attempts to hold an unauthorized parade.
The most recent such event in Moscow in May 2007 saw participants attacked by members of radical groups. More than 30 people were briefly detained.
Activists have called the bans illegal and threatened to sue the authorities even through the European Court of Human Rights if need be.
America's first black president told activists a week ago at a White House reception marking the 40th anniversary of the birth of the gay rights movement "I will continue to be an ally and a champion and a president who fights with you and for you."
