A recent survey conducted by the Levada Center, a research group designated as a “foreign agent” in Russia, has unveiled predominantly negative sentiments among Russians toward the LGBTQ+ community.
The poll, which was carried out between October 24 and 30 across 137 cities, towns, and villages, involved 1,617 respondents. It revealed that 44% of participants felt “disgust and fear” towards gay and lesbian individuals, with an additional 15% expressing irritation. Another 10% cited distrust of sexual minorities.
Positive attitudes were scarce, with only 1% viewing LGBTQ+ individuals favourably, while 26% expressed neutral or calm feelings. Compared to a similar study in 2013, which reported 27% feeling disgust or fear towards LGBTQ+ people, the proportion has now increased by 75%, highlighting a growing trend of negative perception.
The survey also underscored opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, with 62% of respondents stating that sexual minorities should not receive the same legal protections as others. Additionally, 59% admitted they would reduce or sever relationships if they discovered someone close to them identified as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Concerns regarding LGBTQ+-related content influencing younger generations remain high, with 62% expressing fears about its impact on children or grandchildren. Russia has implemented stringent measures in this regard, introducing a 2013 ban on LGBTQ+ content for minors, which was expanded in 2023 to encompass all audiences. In 2022, the Supreme Court also classified the “international LGBTQ+ public movement” as an extremist organisation.
President Vladimir Putin has emphasised that while the government does not aim to interfere in private lives, public LGBTQ+ expressions, particularly those involving children, are deemed unacceptable. The survey further noted that only 10% of participants personally know someone who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community, suggesting limited direct exposure to LGBTQ+ individuals within Russian society.
