LGBTQ rights in Russia

LGBTQ people in Russia face many difficulties and unfair treatment. While it is legal for adults to love someone of the same gender, many people in Russia do not accept these relationships. Same-sex couples cannot get the same rights as married couples, and there are no laws to protect LGBTQ individuals from unfair treatment or violence because of who they are.

In the past, Russia allowed same-gender relationships, but laws changed over time to make them less accepted. Recently, leaders in Russia have made many strict rules against LGBTQ people. For example, sharing ideas about different genders or relationships with young people is not allowed, and trying to change one’s gender legally is also forbidden.

These rules have made life very hard for LGBTQ individuals in Russia. Many people who support equal rights for everyone face arrests and trouble with the law. Because of these strict laws, Russia now has one of the lowest rankings for fairness and safety for LGBTQ people in all of Europe.

History

Main article: LGBTQ history in Russia

The first rules against certain relationships between men were created in 1716 by Tsar Peter the Great. Later, in 1832, these rules were made stricter under Tsar Nicholas I.

During the time of the Soviet Union, rules about these relationships changed many times. At first, they were made legal, but later, under Joseph Stalin, they became illegal again and many people were treated unfairly. Even after Stalin, these relationships stayed illegal, though attitudes began to relax a bit later on.

When the Soviet Union ended, there was more freedom for people, and in 1992, the rules that made these relationships illegal were removed. However, unfair treatment and discrimination continued. Over the years, there have been efforts to protect rights and allow people to live openly, but challenges remain.

Current situation

The age for people to agree to be in a relationship together is set at 16, no matter who they are. In the past, some leaders thought differently about people in these relationships, but rules now say they cannot be treated as sick.

People in Russia can adopt children if they live alone, no matter who they are. But couples wanting to adopt together must be married in a way that matches traditional views.

Russia says people can meet and gather peacefully. But groups supporting these relationships are not allowed to register or work openly.

Same-sex unions

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Russia

In Russia, couples of the same type cannot marry or have legal unions together. Leaders and many people in Russia do not support this idea. In 2020, Russia changed its rules to clearly say marriage is only between a man and a woman. In 2021, a court in Europe said this was unfair, but Russia left that court in 2022.

Military service

Before 1993, relationships between some men were against the law. Even after that, some leaders still thought these relationships were a reason not to let someone join the military. In 2003, new rules said people could serve unless they made their situation known, but leaders warned it could cause problems. In 2023, new rules made it harder for people to change their legal identification in ways that might help them avoid service.

Gay pride events

People trying to hold events to celebrate these relationships in cities like Moscow have faced many problems. Leaders have not allowed these events, saying they could cause trouble. In 2010, a court in Europe said this was unfair, but in 2012, Moscow still refused to allow these events through the year 2112.

Chechnya

Main articles: LGBT rights in Chechnya and Anti-gay purges in Chechnya

Some reports have talked about serious problems for people in Chechnya based on who they are or who they love. These reports say people were taken away, held, and hurt by authorities. The leader of Chechnya has denied these reports and said such people do not exist there. In 2018, a group checking on human rights said these bad actions happened and were ignored by leaders. In 2021, some leaders in Europe took steps to respond to these reports.

Public opinion

Russia has been known for its traditional and conservative views on LGBTQ rights. Surveys from 2013 show that most people in Russia do not support legal recognition of same-sex marriage and favor laws that limit discussions about non-traditional relationships.

More recent surveys show mixed feelings. In 2019, about half of people said that everyone should have equal rights, but many still feel negatively about LGBTQ individuals. By 2022, most people believed that society should not accept homosexuality. These views show that while there is some growing understanding, many people in Russia still hold strong traditional beliefs.

Employment discrimination

A television news anchor lost his job in 2013 after saying on live TV that he was gay and did not agree with new laws against talking about being gay.

Later that same year, a teacher who worked for a school and a university also lost his jobs. This happened after he was attacked by a harmful group and others had been pushing for him to be dismissed.

Viewpoints of political parties

Some political parties in Russia have talked about fairness for everyone, no matter who they love. One party, Yabloko, has stood up against unfair treatment and asked for a kinder Russia. Another group, the Libertarian Party of Russia, thinks that stopping people from talking about who they love is wrong.

A few brave people who love the same gender tried to join Russia’s parliament in 2016, even though it was hard. They wanted to share their views and make things better for everyone.

Some other parties in Russia do not support fairness for everyone, and an organization called Gayrussia.ru has been watching them to keep track of their actions.

Hate crimes

The Russian government does not keep official records of crimes against the LGBTQ community, which helps spread the idea that these people do not exist. In the 2010s, harmful acts against LGBTQ people became more common. These included violent attacks, threats, damage to property, and robberies. Many of these harmful acts were organized by groups, sometimes with quiet support from authorities, who believed that removing LGBTQ people would help society.

One well-known group was active in many parts of Russia and used dating apps and websites to find and target people. These groups often shared videos of their actions online. Sadly, many people were hurt during these incidents.

Transgender issues

In the past, some young women in Russia would dress and act like men. This was sometimes accepted, but dressing this way was also seen as wrong by many people.

Later, in the 1960s, some doctors in Russia started helping people change their gender, but this became very hard. In 2023, new rules were made that stop doctors from helping people change their gender. These rules also make it so people cannot change their gender on official papers, cannot adopt children, and cannot marry someone who was born with the same sex as them.

Some people who had already changed their gender were asked many questions by officials about their medical records.

Propaganda bans

Regional laws

Between 2006 and 2013, ten areas in Russia made rules against sharing ideas about same-sex relationships with children. These rules included fines and other punishments. Some rules also talked about ideas linked to being bisexual or transgender. By May 2013, these rules were in place in areas like Ryazan, Arkhangelsk, Saint Petersburg, and others. Later, some areas like Arkhangelsk and Saint Petersburg changed their rules.

In 2019, Russia edited scenes showing same-sex relationships in a movie based on the life of a famous singer. The singer said this was unfair.

National laws

There is a main rule about sharing ideas linked to same-sex relationships with children. This rule, made in 2013, stops people from showing support for same-sex relationships in public or sharing materials about them. Critics say this rule stops people from talking about these topics at all. The rule has been criticized by many people who work for human rights.

The rule says that people who break it can be fined, and some people can even be arrested or sent away from the country. In 2022, the rule was changed to include everyone, not just children. Since then, many people have been fined or punished for sharing messages or images about these topics. In 2023, a special computer program was made to find these messages online.

In November 2023, a top court in Russia said that groups supporting these ideas are not allowed. This decision worried many people because it could lead to more strict punishments for showing symbols or talking about these topics. In 2024, new rules were made that stop some people from adopting children from Russia.

Many people around the world have spoken out against these rules. International groups that work for human rights have said these rules are unfair. Some leaders from other countries have also talked about how they disagree with these rules.

Main article: Russian anti-LGBT law

See also: LGBT rights protests surrounding the 2014 Winter Olympics

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