For a group committed to exporting its radicalism globally, it's surprisingly inarticulate about what it stands for. When the activist group Femen burst onto the Ukrainian protest scene in 2008, holding mud-wrestling matches on Kyiv's central Independence Square to protest the country's notoriously dirty politics, I was hopeful the stunts could succeed in kick-starting a serious discussion about sexism and gender inequality, problems that continue to plague the states of the former Soviet Union. Four years and a new office in Paris later, the group, which professes to use "sextremism" >>>

On the tarmac at Kyiv's Borispil Airport, during a sun-drenched afternoon last July, 24-year-old Yana Zhdanova tensed up when she saw Kirill I, the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, descending the stairs from his just-landed plane. "I was pumped up with pure adrenalin," she said, clenching her delicate fists before me as we sat in Femen's office in downtown Kyiv. A former journalist with a university degree and a current strip-club dancer, Zhdanova had received accreditation from the Ukrainian church authorities managing Kirill's visit and so stood with members of the press >>>

Why the group that inspired Pussy Riot's infamous "punk prayer" could be tough to stop.Femen activists during a rally in Kyiv (Gleb Garanich/Reuters) KYIV, Ukraine -- On the tarmac at Kyiv's Borispil Airport, during a sun-drenched afternoon last July, 24-year-old Yana Zhdanova tensed up when she saw Kirill I, the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, descending the stairs from his just-landed plane. "I was pumped up with pure adrenalin," she said, clenching her delicate fists as we sat in Femen's office in downtown Kyiv. A former journalist with a university degree and a current >>>

When the activist group Femen burst onto the Ukrainian protest scene in 2008, holding mud-wrestling matches on Kyiv's central Independence Square to protest the country’s notoriously dirty politics, I was hopeful the stunts could succeed in kick-starting a serious discussion about sexism and gender inequality, problems that continue to plague the nations of the former Soviet Union. Four years and a new office in Paris later, the group, which professes to use “sextremism” to fight against patriarchy as manifested by dictatorship, the church, and the sex industry, more closely resembles >>>

A dozen recruits line up on the upper floor of the Lavoir Moderne, a politically-engaged cultural centre in a former warehouse on a side street of northern Paris’s Chateau Rouge neighbourhood. Despite a few sculptures and bookshelves stuffed with old films, Femen’s presence dominates the space. Strewn around the floor are posters with various slogans, including Let’s Get Naked, No Sharia and Kill Kirill, in reference to the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. Hanging over the heads of the trainees is a large banner reading “Femen is a new feminism.” >>>

Pro- And Anti-Gay Protesters Clash In Paris Originally printed 11/22/2012 (Issue 2047 - Between The Lines News) print email react facebook digg twitter delicious stumble upon PARIS (AP) - The controversial Ukrainian group Femen, whose topless members stage pranks to support gay rights, have taunted a march in Paris by Catholics who oppose France's draft law to legalize gay marriage. The Catholic group Civitas organized Sunday's march by several thousand people carrying pro-family >>>

Pro- And Anti-Gay Protesters Clash In Paris Originally printed 11/22/2012 (Issue 2047 - Between The Lines News) print email react facebook digg twitter delicious stumble upon PARIS (AP) - The controversial Ukrainian group Femen, whose topless members stage pranks to support gay rights, have taunted a march in Paris by Catholics who oppose France's draft law to legalize gay marriage. The Catholic group Civitas organized Sunday's march by several thousand people carrying pro-family >>>

The topless Ukrainian activist group 'Femen' recently counter-protested a march organized by the Catholic group 'Civitas,' who oppose France’s proposed law to legalize gay marriage (video below). Members of Femen wore sexy nun costumes, had slogans written across their chests, sprayed white powder and chanted "in gay we trust" at Catholic protestors in Paris on Sunday, reports the Associated Press. The Femen activists sprayed demonstrators with a white liquid called “Jesus’ semen.” As Catholic protesters tried to push the topless feminists away, fights started. Police had to use tear >>>

Catholics against same-sex marriage took to the streets of Paris to protest President Francois Hollande's plans to legalize both gay marriage and gay adoption over the weekend. The protesters were met by Femen, a Ukrainian activist group whose members went topless and donned nun habits in support of gay marriage. On Sunday, the Catholic group Civitas organized the march of several thousand anti-gay protesters in Paris, according to the Associated Press. Topless Femen activists dressed as nuns met the Catholic protesters, >>>

Ukrainian topless activists Femen, famous for baring their breasts on any occasion to draw attention to a cause, clashed with French demonstrators protesting gay marriage and adoption in Paris. On Sunday, some 100,000 people took to the streets of Paris to speak against legislation allowing gay marriage.The demonstration was mainly organized by Catholic groups, which fear that such legislation will destroy the family.Femen activists appeared amidst the demonstrators wearing costumes of sexy nuns. The activists were topless as usual, with slogans written across their chests. They were spraying >>>