Russia Seeks to Ban LGBTQ+ Movement

What’s the story?

• The Russian justice ministry filed a motion to the country’s Supreme Court to ban the “international LGBT public movement,” it stated.
• The ministry said the movement has shown signs of “extremist activity,” including “social and religious strife.” The court will examine the motion on Nov. 30.
• The ban would make it nearly impossible for LGBTQ+ organizations to operate without facing criminal prosecution. 
• The Moscow Times quoted an LGBTQ+ activist – one of the few left in the nation:

“This ban would deprive LGBT organizations of the opportunity to operate and would subject their activists and employees to the risk of criminal prosecution. Essentially, it would entail criminal prosecution based solely on one’s orientation or identity.” 

LGBTQ+ life in Russia

• Homosexuality was a crime in Russia until 1993 and was regarded as a mental illness until 1999. 
• Russian President Vladimir Putin has attempted to censure the LGBTQ+ community, which he claims to be a Western attack on “traditional Russian values.” Analysts suggest the newly introduced ban is a populist measure designed to get Putin more votes ahead of the presidential election next year.
• Last December, the Russian government passed legislation that banned “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” among all age groups, an extension of a law that targeted minors in 2013. 
• Under the law, any depiction of same-sex relations in media or advertising is handled equivalent to the distribution of pornography, the promotion of violence, or racial, ethnic, and religious tensions. 
• Russian officials have declared that “non-traditional sexual relations” are not banned. This week, a representative of the Justice Ministry defended Russia’s human rights record at the U.N., saying LGBTQ+ rights are protected by law and the legal system only targets propaganda that threatens traditional values. 
• Nevertheless, the latest motion has increased concern in the community. The activist quoted in the Moscow Times continued:

“LGBT people are a highly vulnerable group facing numerous social challenges. Over the past few years, LGBT organizations have endeavored to address these issues within an extremely hostile environment. Activists face pressure from the state, as well as from homophobic and transphobic groups, often enduring physical attacks.”

Are you concerned about LGBTQ+ rights in Russia?

-Jamie Epstein

(Photo credit: Flickr/RatBall)