Anti-Gay Laws: Russia

“The movement has been so successful that LGBTQ+ members that had once lived on the streets, now are professors and doctors.” (cbsnews.com) The Stonewall Riots paved the way for the majority of LGBTQ+ rights events. For example, the first ever, “Pride Parade,” a parade that takes place every year, all over the world, to commemorate the actions of activists, to celebrate differences, and to express pride and culture. Often times these parades often also serve as demonstrations to protest for rights such as same-sex marriage. These events still happen to this day, and each year these parades grow and become more of a symbol for the perseverance and passion of the LGBTQ+ community.

This anti-gay propaganda law was signed in the summer of 2013, and some of the outcries from activists have been in the form of ‘hate speech’ in the words of Bennetts. One the activists, Stephen Fry, has stated the law has similarities to the Nazi holocaust. Even President Barack Obama has stated that he has no patience

This paper addresses human rights abuses against members of the LGBT community in Russia. The LGBT community has been a marginalized group of society in Russia in many ways throughout history, however the legislation that was recently passed in Russia goes a step further to strip these individuals of their human rights and dignity. The legislation is inconsistent with several human rights provisions in international treaties that have been ratified by Russia: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR); Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment (CAT); and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC); European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR); and the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT). There are also several articles in Russia’s own constitution which are incompatible with current human rights abuses against the LGBT community, as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and the Yogyakarta Principles.

Being in the closet as gay, lesbian, transgender, or bisexual is very frightening, but since the U.S has evolved into a more accepting and loving country, people in the LGBTQ+ community are more free to express themselves. Organizations like the Stonewall Youth, which “is an organization of youth, activists, and allies that empowers [LGBTQ+] youth to speak for themselves, educate their communities, and support each other” (“Stonewall Youth”). Stonewall Youth, which is an organization that branched off from the Stonewall Inn protests, protects kids in the LGBTQ+ community that might be facing discrimination at home or at school. Because of the Stonewall Protests that brought more attention to the fight for equality, Stonewall youth was created. After being able to understand what exactly happened in 1969 through news reports and hearing from protesters, “...many consider the Stonewall riots to be the launch of the modern gay rights movement, and a symbol of ‘coming out of the closet’—of homosexuals no longer hiding or denying their sexual orientation” (Ritter). Before the fight for gay rights sparked with the Stonewall riots, being out of the closet as gay, bisexual, lesbian, or transgender was considered illegal. Sometimes if someone was found being involved in homosexual interactions, they could face a life sentence. Now,

This law was passed in the Russian Duma in June 2013 and was legislated as an amendment to an already existing child and family protection law. Unsurprisingly, the law has had its own side effects and therefore resulted in the opposite of its primary intention: homophobic propaganda has become increasingly prominent in Russian society. In other words, the law’s initial intention was to protect children and promote traditional sexual relationships; nevertheless, it has become, to some extent, a subliminal way of justifying homophobic propaganda and hate crimes. This law became rapidly well-known and made it to every headline on the most prestigious newspapers around the globe, receiving international criticism from human rights defenders and activists. Moreover, many people claim that this anti-propaganda policy is a camouflaged (de facto intentions) method of outlawing

Similarly, the United States LGBTQ+ community suffers from similar assault cases and psychological damage. Violence towards the LGBTQ+ community in America is not as publicly seen or heard of as in Russia, but it is still there. Russia and the U.S have similar, yet different forms of hate crimes against LGBTQ+ persons. In the United States, sexual assault and gun violence are often what you hear in regards to hate crimes; that is if it is large enough to make the news at all. Unlike in Russia, the police must investigate the crime, since it is an act of discrimination. The difference in the United States and Russia in the regard is that by law (depending on the state) the United States must stop discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community.

Often times the phrase, “the first pride was a riot,” is used amongst the LGBTQ community in reference to what is commonly cited as the spark that started the modern gay rights movement. This event is known as the Stonewall Riots, an uprising against the NYPD that occurred as a response to police raids of gay bars. in the 60’s bars were one of the only places in which gay people felt safe enough to be themselves, and so these places became hotspots for New York City’s “undesirables,” from gay men and homeless gay youth, to butches, transwomen, and drag queens. These gay bars were also subject to regular police raids in which the patrons were harassed and arrested by cops, that is until the patrons of the Stonewall Inn stood up against the abuse on June 27, 1969, (Franke-Ruta 2013). It is said that the riot was led by Black and Latina transwomen, notably Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. To commemorate the beginnings of the modern gay rights movement, June is celebrated around the world as gay pride month, most countries (including the United States) recognizing the month as such.

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a non-for profit organisation that organises the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade annually. The parade aims to “raise the visibility of the lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex communities”. This mission is achieved by the organisation through allowing individuals to use the event to promote pride in sexuality as well as sending a wider message of diversity and acceptance. Though the event is considered now considered a mainstream festival and includes over 10000 participants, it originally began as a political protest in 1978 where participants marched in show of support to the National Homosexual conference as well as San Francisco’s Gay Freedom Day. During this event participants were violently reprimanded by the police. During the months

The history of Russia and the Soviet Union is rich with culture and tradition. This tradition dates back well before homosexuals were common throughout society. When members of the gay community finally felt comfortable to begin coming out to the public, the Soviet Union decided to suppress their actions by outlawing homosexuality. Though harsh, these laws were not much of a shock to

Homophobia is transporting Russia back in time to the late 1800s and early 1900s—the epoch of the racial issues in America. With several gay rights being legalized, it seemed that Russia had begun to accept the LGBT community into their society. But the violent and repressive actions towards gay people and their supporters have proved that Russia is not becoming any more tolerant of gays. It is unsure if Russians even view gays as humans. The present status of the Russian homophobia problem is starting to spiral out of control. Given Russia’s oscillating history with the LGBT community, it’s nearly impossible to predict whether or not Russia will accept or kill the gay people. Based on the current situation, it seems like the former will

We’ve now reached a place where the official Pride in London souvenir magazine can declare that ‘in the UK today, LGBT+ people have full legal equality under the law’, and approximately a million people flock to the capital each year to see the Pride march. Many are now left to wonder whether “London Pride – once a militant demonstration in commemoration of the Stonewall riots – has become a corporate-sponsored event far removed from any challenge to the ongoing injustices that we [the LGBT community] face".

Today we observe the laws of the land play out. Every action taken by a person here is controlled by strict laws preventing homosexuality. At this point, no one realizes it or remembers their purpose, but instead it's just a part of the routine. They are normal citizens following their government’s word.

The purpose behind picking Russia is that Russia is one of the biggest nation on the globe and it has a rich social character that has been framed and molded by it’s apparent history and vast geography. Russia is an unfathomable and diverse nation that following a very long while of socialism keeps on growing politically and financially. With the global biggest asset of crude materials, oil and gas earning intensively to support Russia’s economically. Russia is one of the world’s quickest developing significant economies. Russia is a awesome force power and a lasting part of the United Nations Security Council, a member of the G8, G 20, the council of Europe, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Europe (OSCE), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and is the leading member of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Oppression against the LGBT, or Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender, community has been going on in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Recently, Russian authorities have been cracking down on gay rights. Russian president Vladimir Putin has created new laws that do not ban homosexuality, but place restrictions on what can be said to children about homosexuality. The LGBT community can’t be proud of who they are in Russia. They can’t openly come out comfortably without feeling as if it’s wrong. LGBT rights are very important and are something that shouldn’t be discriminated against because they’re no different than anyone else. They shouldn’t be abused just because they like someone of the same gender. The LGBT community is full of the nicest and

To further understand the Gay Games it is key to give some background information. Tom Waddell created the Gay Games as a way to include everyone in Olympic-type sports (Waitt, 2003). Waddell came from a conservative household and he also got to compete in the Olympics, so he knew what it would take to make this a more inclusive setting for those who are gay or lesbian. The Federation of Gay Games regulates the rules and also is in charge of picking each host city every two years. It is a part of their mission, too, to welcome all and not limit who can and cannot come; everyone is welcome to compete it is just called the Gay Games to promote gays and lesbians being able