The purpose of activity of organization is a formation of public ideology based on principles of freedom and equality of the citizens irrespective of their sexual orientation; giving to each citizen of Russia and inhabitant of Murmansk and Murmansk region of an opportunity to make the active contribution in democratization of society, being based on freedom to express openly his opinions and homosexual feelings.

The basis for achievement of this purpose is a recognition of validity of homosexual love both by each separately and by all society as a whole.

Therefore the goal of organization is an improvement of status of gays, lesbians and bisexuals by upbringing of self-respect in them, and protection of the rights and freedom of each for display of the sexual orientation irrespective of sex, ethnic origin, social status and creed.

Traditionally in Russian society there was cultivated the negative attitude to gays, lesbians and bisexuals. The sexual relations between men were pursued up to 1993. The modern Criminal Code of Russian Federation is relieved of the articles pursuing homosexual connections based on the mutual consent. But at the same time for the first time it mentions punishment for lesbian relations that was not earlier.

In Murmansk and Murmansk region there are almost 1,5 million inhabitants. By the most modest valuations, about 4 % from them are people with homosexual orientation. Numerically such people there are more than 60 thousand persons.

In city and in region there never were and there are no state or public organizations occupied with study of situation of gays, lesbians and bisexuals, facilitation of their psychological and social situation in aggressive - negative society.

There never were and there are no consulting centers carrying on explanatory work among homosexuals of different age, assisting them to adapt for a social environment.

That is, nobody tried to find out needs of gays, lesbians and bisexuals, despite change of political conditions in the country.

Moreover, till now separate sexologists recommend "to treat" homosexuality by self training or application of hormone-containing means.

Homosexuality is few discussed in mass media and almost does not meet in the open form. Murmansk homosexuals have no one their own information edition. The question of homosexuality does not meet in a school course of sexual education for teenagers. The majority of the people has the sharply negative attitude to homosexuality.

The new Russian Family Code treats concept "family" as " free-will union between a man and woman". Such formulation completely excludes even an opportunity of legal creation homosexual families with all following from here infringements of the rights of people with non-traditional sexual orientation, not speaking about an opportunity of adaptation of children.

Thus, in modern "democratic" society there is no place for homosexuals, that speaks about waning of such democracy.

The traditional sexual relations are the most characteristic of our society. Homosexuals infringe traditional norms of behavior and morals, entering in mutual relations with the person of the same sex. The society considers gays, lesbians and bisexuals as defective, psychically abnormal or perverted, and many homosexuals even consider themselves in such way.

The Murmansk democratic GBL organization is being founded as the first organization working at political and social levels for gays, lesbians and bisexuals could live openly, freely contacting among themselves and heterosexuals; being not afraid to be discriminated and humiliated, being not afraid of public condemnation and persecution, not colliding with prejudices in relation to themselves.

The Murmansk GBL organization will unite democratically disposed men and women of different age, different religious belief, ethical opinions and social status.

The mutual support, care, respect and equality, close co-operation with other democratic institutes are the main principles of activity of Murmansk GBL organization.

In the true democratic society everyone have the equal rights on display of the sexual orientation, based on the consent and equality, mutual trust and love, thus being not exposed by abuse and discrimination. Ethical values of each one, his rights and freedom should be respected!

4.1. Social activity.

The Murmansk democratic GBL organization offers the program of measures, promoting strengthening of self-respect and trust in such way that each could live openly and quietly in his environment.

We shall try to grant to each one the opportunity to display his love proceeding from own sexual orientation by organization of meetings of political, cultural and social character. The important points in this work are:

- organization of consulting point - club;

- psychological support and consultations;

- cultural measures;

- social meetings.

4.2. By the publications in press, radio and television and also probably by creation of the own information mass media edition to form in society the positive attitude to gays, lesbians and bisexuals. Granting to each the opportunity to express openly his opinions and views.

4.3. To force the state to assign per itself the responsibility for an actual embodiment in life of rights and freedom for homosexuals on the same level with heterosexuals, to work active over propagation of acceptance of the law about anti-discrimination of gays, lesbians and bisexuals. Murmansk democratic GBL organization will struggle for achievement of the same rights for homosexuals, living together with person of the same sex, as heterosexuals have, to ensure to the partner necessary economic support and social protection.

4.4. To conduct joint work with medical bodies and organizations in prophylaxis of HIV infection. To render all possible support to measures directed on struggle with AIDS. To support HIV-infected in any possible ways including psychological and information help.

4.5. To organize the edition and distribution of the literature telling about homosexuality, forming in society the positive attitude to the people with non-traditional sexual orientation.

The Murmansk democratic GBL organization aspires to create public ideology based on identical respect for all people and representing all equal rights, irrespective of a sex, ethnic origin, creed, social status and sexual orientation. The Murmansk organization cooperates and will cooperate to organizations and groups having the same purposes, following to principles of equality and democracy, promoting to struggle of gays, lesbians and bisexuals for an actual recognition of their rights.

June-July of 1998

From the name of gays, lesbians and bisexuals of Murmansk

The members of Interim Board: