Russia’s LGBTQ community faced another blow on Thursday, when the country’s Supreme Court ruled to ban the “international LGBTQ movement” and designate it as an extremist organization. The ruling has sent shockwaves of fear through the community, which has already been subject to increasing repression in recent years. President Vladimir Putin has been portraying himself as a defender of traditional moral values against the liberal West.
Late on Friday, police conducted raids on several gay venues in Moscow, according to independent Russian news outlets. Authorities claimed these were routine drug raids. Eyewitnesses reported that police photographed the passports of partygoers, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
The Central Station Club in St. Petersburg also announced its closure, stating that the club’s management was denied further rental of the site due to the new law. This is a clear indication of the immediate impact of the ruling on the LGBTQ community.
Video footage shows police presence outside the venues, but there was no confirmation of any arrests or charges. It is important to note that the raids targeted private LGBTQ parties, not nightclubs. This distinction highlights the deliberate targeting of individuals within the community.
These raids are just the latest in a series of repressive measures against Russia’s LGBTQ community. Last year, Putin signed a law that expanded the ban on LGBTQ “propaganda,” making it illegal to promote same-sex relationships or suggest that non-heterosexual orientations are normal. This law, along with others, has created a hostile environment for LGBTQ individuals, stifling their freedom of expression and basic human rights.
Russia’s LGBTQ community continues to face discrimination and persecution, with their basic rights being violated. The raids and the Supreme Court’s ruling are a severe blow to the community, leaving them in a state of fear and uncertainty.
It is crucial for the international community to stand in solidarity with Russia’s LGBTQ community and condemn these human rights abuses. LGBTQ rights are human rights, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
