After LBGTQ+ activism ban, Russian police raid gay bars in Moscow
Russian security forces raided gay clubs and bars across Moscow less than 48 hours after the country鈥檚 top court banned what it called the 鈥済lobal LGBTQ+ movement鈥� as an extremist organization.
Russian security forces raided gay clubs and bars across Moscow less than 48 hours after the country鈥檚 top court banned what it called the 鈥済lobal LGBTQ+ movement鈥� as an extremist organization.
Russian security forces raided gay clubs and bars across Moscow Friday night, less than 48 hours after the country鈥檚 top court聽banned what it called the 鈥済lobal LGBTQ+ movement鈥澛燼s an extremist organization.
Police searched venues across the Russian capital, including a nightclub, a male sauna, and a bar that hosted LGBTQ+ parties, under the pretext of a drug raid, local media reported.
Eyewitnesses told journalists that clubgoers鈥� documents were checked and photographed by the security services. They also said that managers had been able to warn patrons before police arrived.
The raids follow a decision by Russia鈥檚 Supreme Court to label the country鈥檚 LGBTQ+ 鈥渕ovement鈥� as an extremist organization.
The ruling, which was made in response to a聽lawsuit filed by the Justice Ministry,聽is the latest step in a decade-long聽crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights聽under President Vladimir Putin, who has emphasized 鈥渢raditional family values鈥� during his 24 years in power.
Activists have noted the lawsuit was lodged against a movement that is not an official entity, and that under its broad and vague definition authorities could crack down on any individuals or groups deemed to be part of it.
Several LGBTQ+ venues have already closed following the decision, including St. Petersburg's gay club Central Station. It wrote on social media Friday that the owner would no longer allow the bar to operate with the law in effect.
Max Olenichev, a human rights lawyer who works with the Russian LGBTQ+ community, told The Associated Press before the ruling that it effectively bans organized activity to defend the rights of LGBTQ+ people.
鈥淚n practice, it could happen that the Russian authorities, with this court ruling in hand, will enforce (the ruling) against LGBTQ+ initiatives that work in Russia, considering them a part of this civic movement,鈥� Mr. Olenichev said.
Before the ruling, leading Russian human rights groups had filed a document with the Supreme Court that called the Justice Ministry lawsuit discriminatory and a violation of Russia鈥檚 constitution. Some LGBTQ+ activists tried to become a party in the case but were rebuffed by the court.
In 2013, the Kremlin adopted the first legislation restricting LGBTQ+ rights, known as the 鈥済ay propaganda鈥� law, banning any public endorsement of 鈥渘ontraditional sexual relations鈥� among minors. In 2020, constitutional reforms pushed through by Putin to extend his rule by two more terms also included a provision to outlaw same-sex marriage.
After sending troops into Ukraine in 2022, the Kremlin ramped up a campaign against what it called the West鈥檚 鈥渄egrading鈥� influence. Rights advocates saw it as an attempt to legitimize the war. That same year, a law was passed banning propaganda of 鈥渘ontraditional sexual relations鈥� among adults, also, effectively outlawing any public endorsement of LGBTQ+ people.
Another law passed this year聽prohibited gender transitioning procedures聽and gender-affirming care for transgender people. The legislation prohibited any 鈥渕edical interventions aimed at changing the sex of a person,鈥� as well as changing one鈥檚 gender in official documents and public records.
Russian authorities reject accusations of LGBTQ+ discrimination. Earlier this month, Russian media quoted Deputy Justice Minister Andrei Loginov as saying that 鈥渢he rights of LGBT people in Russia are protected鈥� legally. He was presenting a report on human rights in Russia to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, arguing that 鈥渞estraining public demonstration of nontraditional sexual relationships or preferences is not a form of censure for them.鈥�
The Supreme Court case is classified and it remains unclear how LGBTQ+ activists and symbols will be restricted.
Many people will consider leaving Russia before they become targeted, said Olga Baranova, director of the Moscow Community Center for LGBTQ+ Initiatives.
鈥淚t is clear for us that they鈥檙e once again making us out as a domestic enemy to shift the focus from all the other problems that are in abundance in Russia,鈥� Ms. Baranova told the AP.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.