Russian LGBTQ+ community deals with strict new reality after court decision
A year after Russiaʼs highest court restricted LGBTQ+ activities‚ community members face growing challenges. Putinʼs government connects these limitations to its broader conflict with Western values
In eastern Europeʼs largest nation‚ the LGBTQ+ community faces hard-hitting changes after last years Supreme Court ruling that stopped any public support of their rights (a decision that shook the whole community)
Vladimir Putinʼs government has been step-by-step limiting LGBTQ+ freedoms since the early-2010s; this process got faster after the start of Ukraine conflict. The russian leader sees this as part of his fight with the West - a clash between what he calls traditional values and foreign ideas
The current state for LGBTQ+ folks in Russia is tough with many saying they dont feel safe anymore. Local activists report that police watch their every move: some moved away while others try to keep low-profile. The situation got extra-complicated when the government started linking LGBTQ+ topics to what they see as harmful western influence
We must protect our children from this anti-family propaganda coming from abroad
These days Russian LGBTQ+ groups work in a grey-zone - they cant promote their ideas but still try to help people in need. Most of their work happens through private chats and small meet-ups where they share info about legal help and support
