Russia's LGBTQ+ community is living in fear following new laws and court rulings, activists say
Russia's LGBTQ+ community is living in fear following new laws and court rulings, activists say
The LGBTQ+ community in Russia has been under pressure for years, but the situation has worsened since the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine.
Summary
Russia’s LGBTQ+ community faces intensified persecution following harsh new laws and court rulings.
The Kremlin expanded its “LGBTQ propaganda” ban to adults and outlawed LGBTQ+ activism by labeling it extremist, with penalties including up to six years in prison.
Public displays of LGBTQ+ identity, including symbols like the rainbow flag, have led to arrests, raids on gay venues, and violence.
Many activists and community members have fled, while others operate underground or online.
Transgender individuals face heightened discrimination, loss of medical care, and job insecurity.
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That community in Russia has been under legal and public pressure for over a decade but especially since the Kremlin sent troops to Ukraine in 2022. Putin has argued that the war is a proxy battle with the West, which he says aims to destroy Russia and its “traditional family values” by pushing for LGBTQ+ rights.
What...
Why does that surprise you? It's the reasoning almost every homophobe gives