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legal protection

European Rights Court Orders Russia to Recognize Same-Sex Unions

The ECHR ruling came in response to complaints by three Russian same-sex couples whose attempts to register their marriages in Russia were rejected.

opinion Ilya Klishin

The Magic Mirror of Russian Public Opinion

Today’s Russia lacks many of the tools characteristics of societies where citizens live in a shared reality.

violent streets

Georgia LGBTQ Activists Cancel Pride March After Clashes

Organizers accused the prime minister of encouraging homophobic sentiments and his government of failing to "protect fundamental human rights."

walking it back

Russian Food Retailer VkusVill Apologizes for ‘Hurtful’ LGBT Family Ad

Members of Russia's LGBT community slammed the apology.

lgbt representation

Russian Food Retailer Defies ‘Gay Propaganda’ Law With LGBT Family-Featuring Ad

“We believe not featuring the families of our real customers would be hypocritical,” VkusVill said.

Russian Band Releases Pro-LGBT Video

Sansara's video portrays "two people who love each other but forbid themselves," says writer Evgeny Primachenko.

show of support

U.S., Western Embassies Fly Gay Pride Flags in Moscow

The Kremlin last June decried the rainbow flag displays on embassy buildings as illegal under Russian law.

Escaped Chechen Domestic Violence Victim Reverses Story on State TV

Khalimat Taramova previously said she fled by her own free will from “regular beatings and threats” by her family over her sexual orientation.

conservative pushback

Russian Music Awards Probed for ‘Gay Propaganda’ – Reports

The Muz-TV awards featured attendees in gender-flipped clothing and what viewers said resembled a gay marriage ceremony.

Chechnya Grants State Protection to ‘Kidnapped’ Gay Men – Reports

Salekh Magamadov and Ismail Isayev are at risk of “honor killings” after being returned to their native region, rights groups say.

pornography charges

Russian Feminist Activist Goes on Trial for 'Body-Positive' Drawings

Yulia Tsvetkova faces up to six years behind bars in a case that has prompted nationwide pickets and online flashmobs in her support.

controversial screenings

Russia’s Top Documentary Fest Pulls Gay Chechen Film After Threats

"Silent Voice" tells the story of a young MMA fighter who is forced to flee to Belgium after his brother promises to kill him for being gay.

widening actions

Chechnya Detains Kidnapped Gay Men’s Relatives – Rights Group

The two men were forcibly returned to Chechnya earlier this year to face terrorism charges that activists call "fabricated."

self-censorship

Gay Sex Scene Cut From Tucci, Firth Drama in Russia – Reports

“Supernova’s” Russian distributor reportedly went to the cutting board out of fear that movie theaters would refuse to release it.

traditional push

Russia’s Ruling Party Campaigns to Ban 'Propaganda' of Polyamory, Bisexuality – Reports

Russia has already banned “gay propaganda” in a law critics say has been used to silence activists and shut down gay pride events.

2 Gay Chechens Held on Terror Charges Without Proof – NGO

The men had fled Chechnya last year but were arrested and returned this month, the LGBT Network says.

Clubhouse Blocks Pro-Kremlin TV Host Following User Complaints

Vladimir Solovyov was blocked after starting a discussion on the failure of “Russia’s queer revolution.”

TORTURED and THREATENED

2 Gay Men Sent Back to Chechnya Were ‘Kidnapped’ – Rights Group

The two men were detained in Nizhny Novgorod and sent back to the North Caucasus region.

high-risk return

2 Gay Men Returned to Chechnya Face 'Mortal Danger': Rights Group

The North Caucasus region has been accused of brutal persecution against people believed to be homosexual.

Russia Returns Escaped Gay Men to Chechen Police – NGO

The LGBT Network had helped the two men flee from Chechnya after they were allegedly tortured by Chechen police.

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