Russian court outlaws ‘extremist’ classification of the ‘LGBT movement’ : Analysis

Russia’s Supreme Court has categorized LGBTQ activists as “extremists,” a decision that has raised concerns among representatives of the gay and transgender community who fear an escalation of arrests and prosecutions.

On Thursday, the court ruled that “the international LGBT public movement and its subdivisions” are extremist and imposed a ban on their activities in Russia. This ruling marks the most drastic measure in the decade-long crackdown on LGBTQ rights in Russia under President Vladimir Putin, who has prioritized “traditional family values” during his rule.

During the hearing, which took place behind closed doors and without any defense present, the judge did not specify which individuals or organizations would be affected. Russian media reported that reporters were allowed in only to hear the decision but not to witness the proceedings.

Prior to the court’s decision, Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesperson, stated that the Kremlin was not closely following the case and had no comment on it. In response to the verdict, the Feminist Anti-War Resistance, a group critical of Russia’s war in Ukraine, took to social media, stating, “One day, it will be over, but for now, we need to try to continue to live and save ourselves.”

Other non-governmental organizations, including the transgender rights group “Center T,” announced that they would publish safety guidelines for the LGBTQ community. Yan Dvorkin, the director of Center T, fled Russia due to security concerns and described the legal proceeding as a “new low point of insanity.”

Amnesty International released a statement denouncing the ruling as “shameful and absurd,” warning that it could potentially lead to a blanket ban on LGBTQ organizations, violating freedom of association, expression, and peaceful assembly, while further enabling discrimination.

The crackdown on liberal-leaning groups in Moscow has escalated since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year. The LGBTQ community in the country has faced an increasing curtailment of their rights. The Kremlin has intensified its rhetoric on protecting “traditional values” from what it perceives as the West’s “degrading” influence.

Yan Dvorkin believes that Russian authorities are using LGBTQ individuals as scapegoats. He stated, “They’re losing the war. This makes people very frustrated and dissatisfied with the government. It’s very easy to take that anger out on LGBTQ people.”

In July, Russian lawmakers banned medical interventions and administrative procedures related to gender reassignment. Lawmaker Pyotr Tolstoy justified the measure as a means of preventing the penetration of Western anti-family ideology.

Last November, lawmakers also passed a bill prohibiting all forms of LGBTQ “propaganda,” which has had far-reaching consequences for book publishing and film distribution.

According to the Rainbow Europe organization, Russia ranks third from the bottom among 49 European countries in terms of tolerance towards LGBTQ people.

Source: Aljazeera news: Russian court bans ‘LGBT movement’ as ‘extremist’