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Unfortunately we lose many strong activists because of burn out. The hours are long, the conversations are difficult and the cause becomes your life. Read more about why one of the world's most famous LGBT activist Nikolai Alekseev is stepping away.
Last night, Nikolai Alekseev took to his Facebook, Twitter and listservs about his decision to step down from his leadership with GayRussia Website and as Chief Organizer for Moscow Pride.
In his message, he wrote: “Dear friends, today on 21 October 2011, one year anniversary of the European Court of Human Rights verdict in the case of illegality of Moscow Pride bans I decided to resign from the positions of the head of Russian LGBT Human Rights Project GayRussia.Ru and head of Moscow Pride Organizing Committee. From midnight 21 October 2011 in Moscow and up to the decision on the new leadership Project GayRussia.Ru will be headed by Nikolay Baev and Moscow Pride Organizing Committee by Alexander Naumchik.”
After questioning earlier Tuesday, Alekseev confirmed his decision:
“It is true that I am fed up, and that is why I decided to step down,” he said in an e-mail to UK Gay News.
“I also decided not to give any further comments on my decision,” he added.
Nikolai Baev, who takes over GayRussia from Mr. Alekseev, said that nothing should be read into this resignation. Well, we weren't until you said that, Mr. Baev!
It seems like this would be comparable to Harvey Milk walking away from the cause. Alekseev has risked much. We hope his depature is only temporary, and that in no way the Russian government thinks they've won.
Is it just us are many high profile organizations finding new leaders? GLAAD, HRC, Equality California?
(Source; image source: GayRussia)
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