Russian security forces conducted raids on establishments frequented by the LGBTQ+ community in Moscow on Friday night, less than 48 hours after the country's top court designated the "global LGBTQ+ movement" as an extremist organization.
Reports from local media indicated that police searches were carried out at various venues in the Russian capital, including a nightclub, a male sauna, and a bar known for hosting LGBTQ+ events. The raids were ostensibly conducted under the pretext of a drug raid.
Eyewitnesses recounted that security services checked and photographed the identification documents of individuals present at the venues. Some witnesses claimed that club managers had managed to alert patrons before the police arrived.
These actions come in the wake of a decision by Russia's Supreme Court, which declared the LGBTQ+ "movement" in the country an extremist organization. This ruling, prompted by a lawsuit from the Justice Ministry, represents the latest in a series of measures over the past decade targeting LGBTQ+ rights under President Vladimir Putin's administration, which has consistently emphasized "traditional family values."
The lawsuit against the LGBTQ+ "movement" has faced criticism for targeting an informal entity, potentially allowing authorities to crack down on any individuals or groups deemed associated with it. Following the court's decision, several LGBTQ+ venues, including St. Petersburg's gay club Central Station, have announced their closure.
Human rights activists argue that the ruling effectively bans organized activities aimed at defending LGBTQ+ rights. Critics fear that Russian authorities, armed with this court ruling, could use it to suppress LGBTQ+ initiatives in the country.
Russia has a history of implementing restrictive legislation against LGBTQ+ rights, including the notorious "gay propaganda" law adopted in 2013. In 2020, constitutional reforms included a provision outlawing same-sex marriage, and subsequent laws in 2022 restricted gender transitioning procedures and gender-affirming care for transgender individuals.
This latest wave of suppression follows the Kremlin's increased efforts to combat what it perceives as the West's "degrading" influence, a sentiment that gained momentum after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Rights advocates view these measures as attempts to legitimize the war. The Russian authorities consistently deny accusations of LGBTQ+ discrimination, asserting that the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in the country are legally protected. However, the recent legal developments suggest an ongoing and intensified crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Russia.
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