The March in Defense of the Rights of Gays and Lesbians is planned to take place in the center of Moscow. 2,000 people are expected to attend the parade.

The representatives quoted by Gazeta.Ru said at a news conference that they would hold the parade even if it was banned.

An address by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Terry Davis, was handed out at the news conference. He said the attacks against gays and lesbians that had taken place in Moscow recently were inexcusable.

Moscow authorities including the mayor Yuri Luzhkov have said on numerous occasions that a gay pride march would never be allowed in Russia’s capital.

Russian Patriarch Alexy II has denounced the planned festival and parade, and the leader of Russia's Muslims has called for a "violent mass protest" if gay leaders go ahead with Pride celebrations.

Earlier this month police had to form a human chain to hold back more than 150 skinheads and Russian Orthodox Church supporters from rushing a gay event at a Moscow club. The club was to have held a party and rally in support of the pride celebrations

Skinheads hurled tomatoes and plastic bottles at the gays while members of the Church held religious icons and prayed. One gay man was reportedly beaten unconscious. —Staff