<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"MOSCOW \u2014 A handful of demonstrators took to the streets in two small gay-pride rallies in Moscow on Saturday, but turnout was poor, even compared to last year. At least six participants were detained by police.\nThe authorities had already banned one march scheduled for Tuesday, which was meant to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Russia. But activists vowed to press ahead with demonstrations Saturday, The Moscow Times reported.\nSee also: Gay Rights Activists See Insult and Opportunity in Sochi\nEven though homosexuality has been legal in Russia for more than two decades, President Vladmir Putin signed a law last year banning \"propaganda of nontraditional sexual practices\", and Moscow has not allowed a gay-pride parade for nine consecutive years.\nOn Saturday, there were about 30 participants in the two rallies, compared with perhaps 60 or 70 last year. \nOne demonstration was held in front of the Moscow mayor's office, a traditional site for such rallies. It was meant to honor Conchita Wurst, a drag performer who won the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. Women painted beards on their faces to match Wurst's signature look.\nA second rally was held in an area dubbed \"Hyde Park,\" which is meant to quarantine free-speech demonstrations. Although authorities had apparently permitted that rally, at least four people were arrested.\n\n\nMoscow Gay Pride Demonstration\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGay rights demonstrators outside the Moscow mayor's office.\n\nImage: Evgeny Feldman, Mashable\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe mayor's office is a traditional site for gay pride rallies.\n\nImage: Evgeny Feldman, Mashable\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOfficers detained a woman who was carrying a rainbow flag.\n\nImage: Evgeny Feldman, Mashable\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA woman wore a painted beard in honor of Conchita Wurst, the drag performer who won the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest.\n\nImage: Evgeny Feldman, Mashable\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe woman was arrested.\n\nImage: Evgeny Feldman, Mashable\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAt least six people were arrested in the two gay pride demonstrations in Moscow.\n\nImage: Evgeny Feldman, Mashable\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDemonstrators held signs, but the turnout was poor compared with last year's gay pride demonstration.\n\nImage: Evgeny Feldman, Mashable\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEvgeny Feldman is a staff photographer for the Russian publication Novaya Gazeta. Jonathan Ellis contributed to this report.\nHave something to add to this story? Share it in the comments."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2014/05/31/moscow-gay-pride-photos/>