Russia's Supreme Court Bans 'LGBT Movement' as 'Extremist'

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Facts

  • Russia's Supreme Court designated what it characterized as the 'international LGBT public movement' as extremist on Thursday, immediately outlawing its activities within Russian borders, as the Kremlin ramps up its rhetoric about traditional values and the alleged 'degrading' influence from the West.1
  • The decision, which capped a hearing held behind closed doors due to classified materials in the case, comes as the Russian Justice Ministry filed a lawsuit claiming that the LGBTQ+ movement has incited 'social and religious discord' in the country.2
  • Rights activists have expressed worries that this ban on a movement that doesn't formally exist could effectively criminalize individuals and organizations related to the LGBTQ+ community in any way, including civil rights organizations that provide psychological and legal support.3
  • Russia has already banned more than 100 groups on the grounds of extremism, including the Jehovah's Witnesses religious movement and organizations related to opposition leader Alexei Navalny, with previous blacklistings leading to arrests.4
  • Though it remains unclear how the measure will be enforced, rights activists, lawyers, and others could be handed a prison sentence of up to 10 years.5
  • Russia decriminalized homosexuality in 1993, but since last year, it has become illegal for anyone to promote same-sex relationships or non-heterosexual orientations, as well as gender transitions. A 2013 legislation had already introduced a ban on what it deems LGBTQ+ propaganda to minors.6

Sources: 1Al Jazeera, 2TASS, 3The Moscow Times, 4Reuters, 5The New York Times and 6CNN.

Narratives

  • Anti-Russia narrative, as provided by CNN. This decision by the Russian Supreme Court is the most recent of many setbacks for LGBTQ+ rights, which risks a blanket ban on LGBTQ+ organizations with far-reaching violations of fundamental human rights. This new decision openly discriminates against the LGBTQ+ community and has no place in a modern, civilized society. Putin has gone too far to appease his conservative base.
  • Anti-Russia narrative, as provided by RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. This decision by the Russian Supreme Court is the most recent of many setbacks for LGBTQ+ rights, which risks a blanket ban on LGBTQ+ organizations with far-reaching violations of fundamental human rights. This new decision openly discriminates against the LGBTQ+ community and has no place in a modern, civilized society. Putin has gone too far to appease his conservative base.
  • Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by RT. This latest ruling doesn't seek to discriminate but rather to stop the encroachment of the West's insidious cultural exportation, which sows dissent in Russian society. This ban won't actually change the day-to-day lives of sexual minorities, who aren't persecuted in Russia, as it's related to a hostile, foreign organization that is attempting to use them as an agenda.

Predictions