The Side by Side LGBT Film Festival, which takes place annually in St Petersburg, Russia, has had its website blacklisted by authorities in a move that the organizers say was provoked by an orchestrated campaign of complaints from ultra-right-wing groups.The event is taking place entirely online this year due to the pandemic.
Its online cinema theater remains up because it is hosted by a third party, but the fest’s main website and subdomains, including the program, are inaccessible at present.Established in 2008 by Manny de Guerre, Side by Side is a key LGBT event in Russia.
It has been targeted by hate groups before, including during last year’s physical edition when the event was disrupted by a homophobic campaign.This year’s event