MOSCOW, May 26, 2006  —  Russian “nationalists’ managed to draw first blood at Moscow Gay Pride last night when they disrupted a lecture on Oscar Wilde given by the author and playwright’s grandson Merlin Holland.

The lecture was at the State Library of Foreign Literature where the nationalists managed to breach security to gain access to the lecture theatre.

Merlin Holland was minutes into his talk when he was heckled in Russian.  Others in the audience then joined in as police and stewards rushed to restore calm.

“No faggots in Russia,” was the cry of the nationalists, who also called for gays to be removed from the country.

Mr. Holland calmly suggested to the protestors: “It is such a pity that you cannot address us in English.”

As they were being removed, the nationalists threw vials of an irritant gas in the auditorium, which then had to be evacuated.  It is understood that the protestors have been charged and are to appear in court today.

The lecture then was moved to another room.

Earlier, Ekaterina Genieva, the director general of the library, had welcomed the publication in Russian of two book by Merlin Holland on his grandfather.

“A library is a library,” she said.   “Here, we welcome everyone — we don’t discriminate.”

To have the director general of the State Library of Foreign Literature hosting a literary event in a Gay Pride festival was seen by many as virtual approval by the government of gay pride itself.

Day one of the festival was devoted mainly to the arts and presentations by the Nordic group of countries, together with the Baltic states.

Today, the first-ever conference of the International Day Against Homophobia takes place at the Swissôtel.  Representatives from 20 countries — mostly European — are attending.

Pride Parade organisers are today making a surprise appearance in court.  A week ago, they appealed the decision of the Moscow Mayor not to grant permission for the parade.

Last night, organisers were taken aback to learn that the court would be hearing the appeal today.