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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, right, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton seen during a news conference after their talks in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 13. AP MOSCOW (AP) — Russian gays have called on U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to support their rights as she unveiled a statute of American poet and gay rights icon Walt Whitman in Moscow.

Clinton attended a ceremony unveiling the statue at Moscow State University with Russian officials including Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, an outspoken foe of gay rights.

Whitman is claimed by the gay and lesbian communities in the U.S. as one of their own.

Gay activist Nikolai Alexeyev on Tuesday called on Clinton to denounce what he calls entrenched and degrading homophobic attitudes in Russia.

Clinton did not mention the issue of gay rights at Wednesday's ceremony.

Luzhkov has blocked all attempts to hold gay pride marches in Moscow, calling one a satanic gathering.