A Russian lesbian couple sued in the European Court of Human Rights on July 21 over Russia’s refusal to register their Canadian marriage.
Irina Fedotova and Irina Shipitko claim the denial violates the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
“When the European Court gives its decision, it will have a revolutionary impact on Russia’s marriage laws,” said leading Moscow activist Nikolai Alekseev. “I have no doubt that the Russian authorities will have to pass a law that would recognize same-sex unions, even if they are named differently than marriage. It is inevitable.”
By Rex Wockner
