LGBTQ rights in Russia

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.

In the past, Russia allowed same-gender relationships, but laws changed over time. Recently, leaders in Russia made strict rules against LGBTQ people. For example, sharing ideas about different genders or relationships with young people is not allowed.

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

History

Main article: LGBTQ history in Russia

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

During the Soviet Union, rules about these relationships changed often. At first, they were allowed, 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 change a little later.

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.

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. In 2023, new rules made it harder for people to change their legal identification.

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.

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 and held by authorities. The leader of Chechnya has denied these reports. In 2018, a group checking on human rights said these bad actions happened. In 2021, some leaders in Europe took steps to respond to these reports.

Public opinion

Russia has 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.

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. He did not agree with new laws against talking about being gay.

Later that same year, a teacher lost his job at a school and a university. This happened after he was attacked by a harmful group. Some people 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. This has helped 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, and damage to property. Many of these acts were organized by groups. Some of these groups used dating apps and websites to find and target people. 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 many people thought it was wrong.

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. These rules stop doctors from helping people change their gender. The 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.

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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