Russia, Europe

As of 2011, Russia has no criminal law directed at LGBT people and has refused to enact legislation to address discrimination or harassment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Public opinion about LGBT topics and people tends to be negative, although there is a visible LGBT community network, including nightclubs and political organizations. In 2010 anti-gay Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov was replaced by another homophobe Sergey Sobyanin who continues to refuse authorizating gay Pride events. As usual attempts to defy the ban and march in public (in 2011) degenerated into violent clashes with anti-gay protestors and as usual police failed to protect gay rights activists. Several were taken to jail but later released. Nevertheless GayRussia continues to resist against repression and inequality.

 

News & Reports:

 

Gay Russian TV personality reflects on his firing and his country

Anton Krasovsky was fired after publicly revealing that he is gay. He discusses his decision, its aftermath and the state of Russian government and society. Moscow — The day last month that Russian lawmakers gave initial approval to a bill establishing fines for spreading “propaganda” supporting homosexuality among minors, leading Russian media personality Anton Krasovsky… Read more »

Gay Russian TV personality reflects on his firing and his country

Anton Krasovsky was fired after publicly revealing that he is gay. He discusses his decision, its aftermath and the state of Russian government and society. Moscow — The day last month that Russian lawmakers gave initial approval to a bill establishing fines for spreading “propaganda” supporting homosexuality among minors, leading Russian media personality Anton Krasovsky… Read more »

God’s LGBT Children in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and Moldova: Homosexuality is Not Sinful, Demonic, or a Mental Illness

The book is in Russian and includes a full English translation. It is authored by an Eastern Orthodox Bishop for LGBT individuals in Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and Russia. The book will resonate with Eastern European LGBT persons who are “out and proud,” out to a select few, and those who live quiet lives of isolation… Read more »

UN rights experts advise Russian Duma to scrap bill on ‘homosexuality propaganda’

Geneva – A group of United Nations independent human rights experts today called on the lower house of the Russian parliament to discard a draft bill to establish administrative penalties for “propaganda of homosexuality among minors,” which has already been approved by the State Duma. The experts on freedom of expression, human rights defenders, cultural… Read more »

Russian Duma Overwhelmingly Passes Ban On “Gay Propaganda”

Out of 390 Members of Parliament in Russia’s Lower House, 388 voted for a national ban on “homosexual propaganda” toward minors. One MP voted against and one abstained in the first reading of the bill. RT.com reports: The ban was submitted by deputies from the Novosibirsk Region in Siberia, who had earlier introduced similar local… Read more »

Russia moves to enact anti-gay law nationwide

Moscow (AP) — Kissing his boyfriend during a protest in front of Russia’s parliament earned Pavel Samburov 30 hours of detention and the equivalent of a $16 fine on a charge of “hooliganism.” But if a bill that comes up for a first vote later this month becomes law, such a public kiss could be… Read more »

Gay Activists Beaten During Picket in Southwest Russia

Voronezh(RIA Novosti) – Gay activists were beaten by an angry crowd during an authorized picket in the city of Voronezh in southwest Russia on Sunday. Voronezh gay activists earlier announced their intention to hold a protest against the so-called homophobia bill, which will be discussed in Russia’s parliament soon. The picket in the square near… Read more »

Angry crowd of fascists attack gay activists in Russian city of Voronezh

Homophobic Russians have attacked gay activists in the city of Voronezh, the attacks have taken place following a protest against homophobic legislation in place in parts of the country and being considered in others. Activists had announced that they would picket the city earlier in the week and several hundred anti-gay opponents gathered to counter… Read more »

Europe slams Russia and Ukraine laws and says gay rights must be a ‘priority’

The European Parliament has told Russia and Ukraine to drop gay gag laws and said LGBT issues must be a foreign policy priority for the EU The European Parliament has told Russia and Ukraine to ditch plans to fine and jail people who talk positively about gay issues. The LGBT ‘gay laws’ already exist in… Read more »

Russian Authorities Launched An Anti-Gay Media Campaign

On December 19th, 2012, the Russian State Duma will consider in the first reading a draft law on a nation-wide ban of the so-called ‘propaganda of homosexualism’. On November 30th, an observer of ‘Rossiyskaya gazeta’ (‘Newspaper of Russia’) published an ideological article on “traditional values” [1]. The author proposes that each state has the right… Read more »

Medvedev: No need to regulate homosexuality in Russia

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said at a press conference Friday that he sees no reason to limit homosexuality by law. “Not every moral issue, behavioral habit or communication issue between people should be regulated. This is why not all relationships between people are subject to a legal interpretation,” Medvedev said in response to a question… Read more »

PM Medvedev says Russia does not need a national gay gag law

Russia’s former president tells journalists the country has no plans to pass an anti-gay propaganda bill on a federal level Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says Russia does not need any law banning gay propaganda. The former president added that his statement reflects his position and the position of the ruling United Russia party. ‘Not every… Read more »

Venice looks to suspend partnership with St Petersburg over anti-gay laws

The Venice Municipal Council is currently considering ending a partnership with the Russian city of St Petersburg over the latter’s recently adopted anti-gay laws. The law equates homosexuality with “paedophilia” and was passed by the city on February 29 of this year – despite more than 270,000 people signing an online petition against the measure.… Read more »

UN rules Russian ‘gay gag’ law violates human rights

UN Human Rights Committee passed a landmark ruling saying a Russian law against ‘homosexual propaganda’ is discriminatory, violates the basic right for freedom of expression and unconstitutional The United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) found Russia’s application of Ryazan region anti ‘homosexual propaganda’ law against LGBT rights activist Irina Fedotov to be in breach of… Read more »

Moscow lawmakers reject ‘gay gag’ bill

Regional parliament in Russia rules anti-gay ‘propaganda’ bill conflicts with federal law Moscow’s regional parliament has rejected an anti-gay ‘propaganda’ bill similar to homophobic laws passed elsewhere in Russia. The proposed law, which would ban ‘non-traditional sexual orientation propaganda to minors’, was filed with the Duma on 16 November by the local Council of Municipal… Read more »

Serbian Film Promotes Tolerance Of Gays. Will It Fly With Fellow Slavs In Russia?

Moscow – The first third of Srdzhan Dragoevich’s new film, The Parade, will bring a smile to even the gloomiest of faces. It’s a silly, rude comedy that is meant to be fun for the viewers. It is also very much a film with a message about tolerance for homosexuals, as well as for those… Read more »

Russian court backs St Petersburg’s anti-gay law

Russia’s Supreme Court has ruled that the country’s second largest city of St Petersburg can continue to enforce its homophobic censorship law. It equates homosexuality with “paedophilia” and was passed by the city on February 29 of this year – despite more than 270,000 people signing an online petition against the measure. LGBT rights campaigners… Read more »

Anti-gay Russian activists sue Madonna for $10 million

St Petersburg, Russia (Reuters) – A group of Russian anti-gay activists sued American pop star Madonna for $10 million on Friday, saying she had insulted their feelings when she spoke out for gay rights at a concert in St Petersburg last week. Performing in black lingerie with the words “No Fear” scrawled on her back,… Read more »

Appeal against century-long ban on gay pride in Moscow is refused

Nikolay Alexeyev, founder of Moscow Gay Pride, has had his appeal against the century-long ban on the parade rejected by Moscow City Court. Mr Alexeyev filed an appeal against the June ban – which will prevent the city’s LGBT community from holding anything that resembles a gay pride march, rally or celebration for the next… Read more »

Madonna challenges St. Petersburg gay pride ban during tour stop

(RollingStone.com) — At her MDNA tour stop in St. Petersburg, Russia, on August 9th, Madonna challenged the city’s gay pride ban by giving away pink wristbands and speaking out at her show, according to The Hollywood Reporter. St. Petersburg prohibits the “propagation of homosexuality” and “promotion of gay lifestyles,” and authorities had warned Americans of… Read more »

Video: Equal marriage film seeks votes for national awards

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Facebook Faces Russian Backlash Over Gay Marriage Icons

Facebook’s recently-launched relationships status icons identifying gay and lesbian users who are married have prompted a backlash against the social networking site in Russia. Facebook added the new married icons to Timeline, Facebook’s alternative profile which allows users to highlight photos, posts and life events chronologically. One icon includes two brides, the other two grooms.… Read more »

Russian Gay Activists Arrested In St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg, Russia — Russian police have broken up attempts to hold two gay rights rallies in St. Petersburg, which this spring adopted a law against spreading “homosexual propaganda.” Three rally organizers were arrested Saturday at a park in Russia’s second city, and five others were detained at a later rally attempt near the landmark… Read more »

Nikolai Alexeyev Arrested In Attempted Moscow Gay Pride Parade

Nikolai Alexeyev was among the roughly dozen activists arrested Sunday attempting to hold a Gay Pride parade in downtown Moscow. The administration of Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin had rejected the activists’ application to hold a Gay Pride event in the city for the seventh year in a row. Organizer Alexeyev said the rally would be… Read more »

IDAHO in St. Petersburg Celebrated Despite Attacks

Today St. Petersburg LGBT community commemorated International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia by holding an officially authorized mass rally. Over 300 people gathered in Petrovsky park in St. Petersburg. However, not all of those present came to support the ideas of  tolerance and non-violence to LGBT. About 100-150 members of nationalist, soccer-fan, and aggressive clerical… Read more »

World marks IDAHO with courage and pride

Activists defy anti-gay laws in Iran and Russia to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia Activists in Iran, one of the most homophobic countries in the world, braved persecution today (17 May) by publicly unfurling a rainbow flag to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). Campaigners in the Muslim state’s… Read more »

Russian Gay activist fined for propaganda

A Prominent Russian gay rights activist has been convicted of spreading “gay propaganda” among minors in the first such ruling in Russia’s modern history. Nikolai Alexeyev told the Associated Press that a city court in St Petersburg fined him 5000 rubles ($A166) for breaching the law, which was controversially introduced by MPs in Russia’s second-largest… Read more »

Siberia passes anti-gay propaganda bill

Deputies intend to push legislation to a federal level Russia’s third-largest city Novosibirsk is the latest to join in the criminalization of ‘gay propaganda’. Deputies in Moscow have come forward saying they intend to push the initiative to a federal level. The law prohibits the promotion of gay, bisexual and transgender activity among minors. Regional… Read more »

Russians Facing Tidal Wave of Proposed Anti-Gay Laws

Just a few months ago Sasha Semanova and her fellow activists thought they had turned the corner in their fight for gay rights in Russia, but now they are facing an avalanche of proposed laws that they believe would give authorities legal backing to persecute them for their sexual orientation. “We had a feeling that… Read more »

Russian gay teen sprung from rehab after activist ‘siege’

Family tried to exorcize gay teenager in Moscow after he came out to them on his 16th birthday A gay teenager in Russia who was put into a drug rehab center after coming out to his father has been released following a ‘seige’ by activists. Ivan Kharchenko spent 12 days in Moscow’s Marshak facility for… Read more »

Teenager put in drug rehab for being gay

A 16-year-old boy from Moscow has been medicated against his will at a drug rehab clinic – for being gay. The measure was the idea of the boy’s father, who hoped that the clinic would change his son’s mind – or least force him into changing his mind. Ivan decided to break the news to… Read more »

Man cleared of gay propaganda charge in Russia

Judge cites lack of evidence in charges against straight attorney Sergey Kondrashov Sergey Kondrashov is a straight attorney who was arrested for holding up a gay rights banner in Saint Petersburg, Russia, two weeks ago. He was charged with the promotion and propaganda of homosexuality under a new law that officially prevents the ‘propaganda of… Read more »

Russia rejects gay rights in G8 statement

Russia has formally distanced itself from endorsing LGBT rights, even going so far as refusing to recognise such rights, in a joint statement released by G8 foreign ministers. The statement, which affirmed the fundamental rights to which people were entitled everywhere,  came after a meeting of the ministers in Washington on Thursday. The chair of… Read more »

Activists in St Petersburg arrested for protesting against ‘gay propaganda’ ban

Police detained two men in St. Petersburg yesterday for protesting against the new law banning “gay propaganda”. As a result, the men are likely to become the first to be convicted under said law. The two unnamed men, who are reportedly aged 28 and 31, held up placards stating: “Being gay is normal” while stood… Read more »

St Petersburg ‘gay propaganda’ law could become nationwide Russian policy

Earlier this month, the governor of St Petersburg signed into law a bill making it an offence to “promote” gay or transgender personal identities in the city. Now, lawmakers in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk have proposed that Russia introduces the legislation nationwide. The bill recommends imposing a fine of up to 5,000 roubles (approximately… Read more »

St Petersburg scene ‘vibrant’ despite anti-gay law

St Petersburg’s gay clubs still vibrant in spite of new homophobic ‘propaganda’ law but there are fears for the future St Petersburg’s gay nightlife is still vibrant despite laws banning the ‘promotion’ of LGBT lifestyles to minors. That’s according to a story by the St Petersburg Times today (28 March), a leading English-language newspaper, which… Read more »

Author of St. Petersburg’s Anti-Gay Law Will Attend Madonna Concert, Prosecute If Necessary

The man behind St. Petersburg, Russia’s gay “propaganda” bill is threatening Madonna over her plans to speak out against the law when she comes to the city for a concert, ABC News reports. MilonovThe bill’s author, city assemblyman Vitaly Milanov, says he wants Madonna charged under the new law if she speaks out against it… Read more »

Madonna Threatened With Fine If She Violates St. Petersburg Anti-Gay Law

Madonna could face a fine of 5,000 rubles if she defies St. Petersburg’s recently enacted gay propaganda law when she performs in the Russian city this summer, an official has warned. Earlier this week, Madonna stated that she would defy the ban. “I will come to St. Petersburg to speak up for the gay community… Read more »

Russians find asylum in New York amid gay bashing, harsh laws back home

Brooklyn filmmaker Alexander Kargaltsev fled after clash at Moscow pride rally After military cops turned batons and a Taser gun on him at a Moscow gay pride rally, Alexander Kargaltsev decided to get out of Russia. “They left us lying in blood in the street,” he said. The clash punctuated a series of attacks —… Read more »

Russian Orthodox Church: Ban homosexuality ‘propaganda’ among minors

The powerful Russian Orthodox Church wants the Duma to follow regional governments that have banned ‘homosexual propaganda aimed at minors.’ St. Petersburg enacted such a law last week. A controversial new law enacted in St. Petersburg and three other Russian regions, aimed at banning “homosexual propaganda aimed at minors,” has members of Russia’s besieged gay… Read more »