In 2013, Russia passed a “gay propaganda law,” which was designed to ban the promotion of “non-traditional” sexual relationships to minors. Now the Russian government proposes that the law is extended to include adults as well.
Under the proposed change, “any event or act regarded as an attempt to promote homosexuality could incur a fine,” according to Aljazeera.
“Authorities say they are defending morality in the face of what they argue are un-Russian liberal values promoted by the West. Human rights activists say the law has been broadly applied to intimidate Russia’s LGBTQ community.”
While the existing “gay propaganda law” was masked as safeguarding children–even though heterosexual propaganda is relentless in every country–the law has been used to stop pride marches and detain gay rights activists.
Just months after the “gay propaganda law” was introduced, artist Yulianna Prosvirnina was hosting a gay and lesbian party in Moscow, “when a hooded mob burst into the venue.”
“They stopped the party and shouted, ‘Who wants to be first?’” the 26-year-old lesbian performer said to AlJazeera.
“Then tables started flying, glasses were breaking everywhere, and girls were kicked in the stomach. Many people hid and most were so scared – too scared to stand together and defend one another,” she continued.
The club was trashed and four people were hospitalized. The party was in a club for adults – it was not promoting anything to children.
The law fuelled homophobic abuse, violence and discrimination, and has deterred young people from coming out and seeking resources or support.
“The law is seen by many as one in a series of moves by President Vladimir Putin to crack down on dissent, smother civil society, and draw closer to the Russian Orthodox Church, which has spoken out against homosexuality and is one of the most influential institutions in the country,” AlJazeera reported.
Despite homosexuality being decriminalized in Russia since 1993, the LGBT community remains underground because of homophobic prejudice and violence.
“Activists see the propaganda law as part of a broader crackdown to create a chilling effect and clamp down on those who speak out and have opposing opinions,” Tanya Cooper, a Russian researcher at Human Rights Watch, said.
“But LGBT people see the law as an assault on their identity and community, driven by violence and state-sponsored homophobia flowing from television screens, radio stations, newspapers and even celebrities.”
In late 2021, Russia considered limiting gay media to “special access,” like with pornography, instead of it being broadcasted to all, which came after a Russian MP called for gays to be “sterilized” and “kept in shelters like cats.”
Less than a week before Russia invaded Ukraine, the US sent a letter to the UN, warning that Russia had formulated a “kill list” of people to attack, murder and/or detain in camps “if” it was to invade the country.
Russian artist, and lesbian, Alexandra Skochilenko is suffering ill-treatment in a detention center for “allegedly [sneaking] anti-war messages onto supermarket price tags.” She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Star U.S. basketballer Brittney Griner has been imprisoned in Russia for five months for allegedly having hashish cartridges in her luggage, as she travelled to Russia to work. She also faces 10 years in Russian prison.
