Important LGBTQ+ Activists Nikolay Alexeyev Full Name: Nikolay Alexandrovich Alexeyev Born On: 23 December 1977, Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union Occupation: LGBT Rights Activist | Lawyer | Journalist Who is Nikolay Alexeyev? Nikolay Alexandrovich Alexeyev (also spelled as Alekseyev, Alekseev, or Alexeev (born on 23 December 1977) is a Russian LGBT rights activist, lawyer and journalist. On 21 October 2010 Nikolay Alexeyev won the first ever case at the European Court of Human Rights on LGBT human rights violations in Russia. The Strasbourg-based court unanimously ruled that by banning three Moscow Prides in 2006, 2007 and 2008, Russia breached three articles of the European Convention on Human Rights. In January 2011 the Russian Government asked the Court to refer the case for re- consideration to the Grand Chamber. On 11 April 2011 five judges panel of the European Court dismissed Russia's appeal and the verdict on illegality of Moscow Pride bans came into force the same day. His Reputation & Award Since 2005 Nikolay Alexeyev earned his reputation in gay activism as a person who would not compromise on his ideals and who will not give up on his fights for LGBT rights in Russia and other countries. The leading French gay and lesbian magazine Tetu called him in March 2009 "l'activiste le plus acharné du continent" which could be translated into English as "the most stubbornly persistent activist on the continent" In December 2010 leading American gay magazine "The Advocate" called Nikolay Alexeyev "the most visible crusader in his country". In 2000 Nikolay Alexeyev received the "Red Diploma" (Moscow) from the Faculty of Public Administration of the Lomonosov Moscow State University for excellent achievements in studies. The Red Diploma is awarded to the graduates with the best performance. In 2006, together with the founder of the International Day Against Homophobia Louis- Georges Tin and co-organizers of Moscow Pride Nikolay Baev and Evgenia Debryanskaya, Nikolay Alexeyev received the "ILGCN Grizzly Bear" (Moscow), "honouring outstanding and courageous efforts in the face of unusually fierce homophobia".