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‘You’re a Second-Class Citizen’: Arrests, Club Raids and Extremism Charges Define LGBTQ+ Life in Russia in 2025

Russia's queer community has been subjected to growing pressure, fear and repression, prompting many people to hide their sexuality altogether.

In Russia, Being Openly Gay Is 'Extremist.' But Some People Bend the Rules.

In a country where queerness has been legally equated to terrorism, the line between what is acceptable and what is not has blurred.

LGBTQ+ Resistance

Despite repressive laws and a wartime crackdown, LGBTQ+ activists continue operating and NGOs have found a way to keep functioning.

Popular St. Petersburg Bookstore Fined $10K for ‘LGBT Propaganda’

Podpisniye Izdaniya was accused of violating Russia’s anti-LGBT laws for selling books by authors like Susan Sontag and Olivia Laing.

Russian Court Fines Apple for Violating 'LGBT Propaganda' Law

Russia in 2023 widened restrictions on the promotion of "non-traditional sexual relations" amid a broader crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights.

Police Arrest Publishing House Staff Over Alleged LGBTQ+ Books

The head of distribution at Eksmo Publishing House was later released after being questioned by the police as part of an investigation.

Trans Woman Charged With Justifying Terrorism Launches Hunger Strike in Jail

Olga Sivushkova was arrested in January for allegedly sharing a link to an interview with a spokesman for the Freedom of Russia Legion, a Ukraine-based...

In First, Russia Identifies Member of Banned ‘International LGBT Movement’

The Justice Ministry identified journalist Vadim Vaganov as an “activist” from the non-existent “international LGBT movement.”

Russia Labels Elton John AIDS Foundation ‘Undesirable’ Organization

Authorities accused EJAF of “promoting non-traditional sexual relations... and gender reassignment” despite its stated goal of AIDS prevention and...

Transgender Russian Woman Dies at Dutch Asylum Shelter

Alisa Serova died after an alleged drug overdose, according to a Dutch organization that assists LGBTQ+ asylum seekers.

Russia Issues First Prison Sentence for ‘LGBT Extremism’

Russia’s Supreme Court outlawed the so-called “international LGBT movement” as an “extremist” organization in November 2023.

European Court Rules Russia Violated Free Speech of LGBTQ+ Website Managers

ECHR said Russia’s restrictions on content presenting same-sex relationships as equal to heterosexual ones violated the six plaintiffs’ freedom of...

Russian Court Blocks Fast Fashion Retailer Shein's Website Over LGBTQ+ Bracelet

Russia’s consumer protection came across the “illegal” bracelets while “monitoring” websites that sell LGBTQ+ products, according to a court...

Russian Man Arrested for Organizing LGBTQ+ Tours Dies in Police Custody

Andrei Kotov, the director of the travel agency Men Travel, was charged last month with taking part and organizing “extremist” activities.

‘My Government Doesn’t See Me as a Citizen’: Russian Ex-State Worker Reflects on Being Outed, Forced Into Exile

Denis Leontovich said he wished to share his story “to help others who remain in Russia and fear similar persecution.”

LGBTQ+ Support Group in Russia’s Yekaterinburg Closes Amid ‘Anti-Queer Pressure’

Lupta’s closure comes almost a year after the Russian Supreme Court banned the so-called “international LGBT movement” as “extremist.”

Russian Ex-Official Outed as Gay Flees Country, Denounces War

Denis Leontovich, an ex-employee of the Samara region’s youth policy agency, was accused of belonging to a “secret gay lobby” that influences young...

Moscow Arrests Man for ‘LGBT Propaganda’ and ‘Satanism'

Russia banned what it called the "international LGBT movement" in November last year.

Russian MPs Back Adoption Ban on Countries Allowing Gender Reassignment

MPs said they wanted to ensure that adopted Russian children would not go through gender reassignment abroad.

Russian Streaming Website Kinopoisk Fined $110K for ‘LGBT Propaganda’

A Moscow court also fined the company for “propaganda of pedophilia.”

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