Moscow ? Moscow authorities have again said no to organizers of the Gay Pride Parade to stage a march this year, a city official said Tuesday.

“A meeting was held Tuesday between representatives of the city administration and the organizers of this event, at which time the organizers of the Gay Pride Parade were officially denied permission from holding their march,” Nikolai Kulikov said.

He explained the refusal by saying the event would have interfered with the rights and interests of other citizens, contrary to existing legislation.

The Gay Pride Parade was planned for May 27 in Moscow. As one organizer, Nikolai Alekseev, said, this year participants had hoped to stage a three-day festival to call attention to gay rights, or their absence, in Russia.

Last year, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov also refused permission for the march. At the time, organizers petitioned the Tverskoi Court, but their motion was dismissed.