Russia’s Justice Ministry announced its pursuit to label an international LGBT movement as extremist, a move that activists cautioned could jeopardize the safety of all LGBT individuals in Russia by making them susceptible to criminal charges.
Citing violations of anti-extremism laws for inciting social and religious discord, the ministry alleged that the activities of the LGBT movement in Russia warranted a ban.
The process of proving the existence of a coordinated global LGBT movement remains unclear to Russian authorities.
The Supreme Court is set to review the Justice Ministry’s request on November 30, with potentially severe penalties, including lengthy prison terms, for individuals associated with such an extremist group.
An anonymous prominent LGBT activist within Russia expressed concerns, highlighting the vulnerability of the community amidst an antagonistic environment. They emphasized the potential ramifications of the ban, stripping away the ability of LGBT organizations to function and putting their members at risk of legal consequences solely based on their orientation or identity.
If approved, this decision would draw a parallel between the “LGBT movement” and groups associated with figures like Alexei Navalny, whose supporters have sought refuge abroad to evade prosecution.
Russia has a history regarding LGBTQ+ rights, criminalizing homosexuality until 1993 and considering it a mental illness until 1999. In recent years, officials have intensified their opposition, citing conflicting values with Russian traditions.
In a further clampdown, President Vladimir Putin expanded the ban on “gay propaganda” in 2013 to encompass public displays of non-traditional relationships and lifestyles to all age groups.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
