TALLINN - Andi Ravalepik, a well-known gay activist, has joined the Social Democratic ticket for the March 2007 general elections, campaigning for gay and lesbian rights. This marks the first time that a candidate is running on such a platform, the daily Eesti Paevaleht reported. The 27-year-old, who manages the gay and lesbian information center, said he would stand in Parliament for human values and against hate. "A seat in Parliament gives a person the status of a public figure, which permits the person to be seen, have a say and through this to make Estonia better and more tolerant," Ravalepik told the newspaper. "I'm not going to stand narrowly for gays, lesbians and transsexuals. Instead, I wish to dedicate myself to social issues in the broader sense," he said.
