Gay activists protest Russia’s anti-LGBTQ laws with ‘hidden flag’ during World Cup

LGBTQ activists from around the world gathered in Russia this weekend to protest Russia’s anti-gay policies.

The six activists, wearing colorful soccer jerseys from their home countries, created what they called a “hidden flag” as they walked side by side throughout Moscow.

The jerseys from Spain, Holland, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Colombia together made up a rainbow, similar to the well-known LGBTQ pride flag

In Russia it’s illegal to display the LGBT pride flag. So during the #WorldCup these 6 football fans have formed a hidden rainbow flag with their soccer jerseys, to protest Russia’s discriminatory laws in plain sight. #HiddenFlag ✊️‍ pic.twitter.com/I6uvYztGlR

— Jason Ball (@jasonballau) July 9, 2018

The Hidden Flag project staged the protest this week because the world’s attention is focused heavily on Russia as the World Cup inches towards its final stages, according to their website.

Russia in 2013 passed a “gay propaganda” ban, making it illegal to promote a host of topics associated with LGBTQ+ rights, including the pride flag.

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The Hidden Flag activists side-stepped the law by wearing the jerseys as a group.  

In a statement in Spanish on their website, the group wrote, “At the same time that Pride Month is celebrated in the rest of the world, we decided to denounce this situation and take our flag to the streets of Russia.”

“How?” the statement says. “Using something that would never arouse anyone’s suspicions: football shirts.”

“Spain, Holland, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Colombia,” the statement continues. “Six countries. Six courageous LGBT activists who, together, formed our flag and toured emblematic places in Russia, taking to every corner a fight that will never be silenced.”

6 activists have found a creative way to bring the ️‍ to Russia during the #WorldCup to support LGBTI people and activists. Take a look at the @FELGTB #hiddenflag campaign here ➡️ https://t.co/dtfD3WCjm4 #supportallcolours pic.twitter.com/Vvfg5m3Saw

— LGBTI Intergroup (@LGBTIintergroup) July 9, 2018