By Melanie Nathan, September 04, 2013.
A group of LGBT activists will stage an informational vigil including members of Gays Without Borders, BoycottRussianVodka.com will be holding a fun informational vigil on Friday, September 6 at 7:00 pm outside the San Francisco Opera’s gala opening night at the War Memorial Opera House, located at Van Ness and Grove.
The activists contacted the San Francisco Opera company requesting that the performance of “Mephistophelese” that night be dedicated to expressing solidarity with LGBT people in Russia. Among the performers is openly out lesbian soprano Patricia Racette.
As patrons are entering the Opera House, activists will distribute flyers expressing solidarity and raising awareness about supporting the Russian LGBT community through its fight for the repeal of the country’s ‘anti-gay propaganda’ laws.
Organizers were pleased to note that they had received a response to the request from David Gockley, the General Manager of the San Francisco Opera:
Dear Melanie, Michael, and Robbie, I thank you for your email and the request for the dedication of Friday night’s opera performance.Over the years we have received a number of similar requests, some to officially to embrace causes for which we individually have had great empathy. Yet, when it got down to it we have firmly taken the position that the mission of the company is the presentation of operatic performances and not about the political or moral conduct of sovereign nations, or taking public stands on issues in general. As an organization we have always embraced a workforce of individuals from all races, religions and sexual orientations.We support your right to have an informational picket line and offer our help in facilitating it any way we can.Kind regards,
David Gockley
While as organizers we expected this response, we are very pleased with its diplomacy and the undertone of support with regard to the vigil / picket line support and look forward to interacting with members of the Opera Company and the public when we are there.
Please join us at the vigil on Friday as we plan to advance awareness on the struggle for LGBT respect and acceptance in Russia, into the cultural realm, broadening support already seen in political and sports circles.
See you there – Friday, September 6 at 7:00 pm outside the San Francisco Opera’s gala opening night at the War Memorial Opera House, located at Van Ness and Grove.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/433652160084761/
Also Read : http://mpetrelis.blogspot.com/2013/09/sf-opera-asked-to-dedicate-opening-nite.html
Organizers
Melanie Nathan
Human Rights Advocate
Private Courts International
Press Contact: nathan@privatecourts.com
or Commissionermnathan@gmail.com
Michael Petrelis
Community Organizer, Gays Without Borders
Robbie Sweeney
Administrator
BoycottRussianVodka.com
San Francisco opera:
http://sfopera.com/Season-Tickets/2013-14-Season/Mephistopheles.aspx