Irina Fedotova and Irina Shipitko attempting to marry in Moscow

A group of lesbian and gay activists seeking to register a group campaigning for same-sex marriage has been banned by the Russian Ministry of Justice.

In a letter to the group the Ministry said:
“Your organisation cannot be registered on the basis that its aims contradict the law of NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and provisions of the family code, which define marriage as a union between a man and a woman."

The group, Marriage Equality Russia, had helped a lesbian couple to formalise their union in Moscow last May. Although they were refused by the Civil Registrar, they subsequently had a partnership ceremony in Canada.

A spokesman for the organisation said that in Russia it is illegal to hold an openly gay march. He went on to say that it may have been possible to register Marriage Equality Russia if they'd remained discreet, but that there is no sense in staying in the closet.