Student activists, with their mouths taped closed, are to hand out leaflets with the goal of raising awareness about discrimination and violence against the gay community in Russia, including at universities and colleges.
The first 'Day of Silence' was held in the U.S. in 1996 and is aimed at creating safer conditions in educational establishments for all students, "regardless of sexual orientation."
Moscow authorities have so far rejected applications by the gay community to hold a 'Gay Pride' march over the upcoming May holidays in Russia, saying the event would interfere with the rights and interests of other citizens.
Gay rights activists attempted to stage a protest in the center of Moscow last year. The protest turned violent however and a British gay rights activist was kicked and beaten by protestors. Police also detained 31 people, including two Italian members of the European parliament, in the ensuing skirmish.
