In a disturbing legal move, the Russian Ministry of Justice has filed a lawsuit with the nation’s Supreme Court seeking to ban the “international LGBT public movement.”
Announced last Friday, the ministry labelled global LGBTQ+ movements as extremist, accusing them of inciting social and religious discord.
This request represents one of the most far-reaching attempts by the Russian government to curb LGBTQ+ pride campaigns originating from overseas, reflecting its stance against the liberalization of sexual norms.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case on November 30. However, the specifics of how such a ban would be implemented or enforced remain unclear. The proposal follows a series of restrictive measures against the LGBTQ+ community in Russia.
In 2013, the country introduced a ban on “LGBT propaganda” aimed at children, later extending it to the entire population. This year, Russia further tightened restrictions by banning medical sex change interventions and prohibiting transgender individuals from adopting children.
President Vladimir Putin has consistently positioned his government against what he perceives as Western influences on family and gender norms. He has openly questioned the desirability of concepts like “Parent No. 1, No. 2, No. 3” over traditional titles such as ‘mom’ and ‘dad.’ His rhetoric suggests a view that acceptance of same-sex couples and transgender identities could lead to societal degradation.
The upcoming Supreme Court hearing will likely provide further clarity on the direction of LGBTQ+ rights and representation in Russia.
