Clubgoers Fined for “Looking Too Gay” in Russian Raid

YOUR EX

January 7, 2025

Seven individuals arrested during a nightclub raid in the Russian city of Tula were fined for “looking too gay,” marking yet another instance of enforcement under Russia’s controversial anti-LGBTQ+ “propaganda” laws.

The raid, conducted at the club Typography in February, involved security forces in military-style uniforms. Videos captured the chaotic scene, showing patrons being forced to the ground, photographed, beaten, and insulted. The Russian human rights organisation OVD-Info reported that plainclothes officers joined the raid, targeting those deemed to be promoting “non-traditional sexual relations” through their clothing and behaviour.

Although the event was not explicitly marketed as an LGBTQ+ gathering, its description as a night of “love, openness, and sexuality” reportedly prompted the authorities’ intervention. Police singled out eight men they considered the “most feminine-looking,” forcing them outside into the snow for further beatings.

Reports from the independent news outlet Verstka revealed that one detainee wore a bright green fur coat, leather trousers, and earrings, while another sported a corset and black mesh. Photographs submitted as evidence led judges to conclude the men’s attire was inconsistent with “traditional male presentation.” Seven of the eight were fined, while one man avoided penalties by claiming his gothic “vampire” style was unrelated to LGBTQ+ expression.

Two of those fined paid 50,000 rubles (approximately $820 NZD) each. In total, 131 cases were heard across Russia in 2024 under the expanded anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda law. Verstka noted that fines ranged from 50,000 to 200,000 rubles, with over half of the cases resulting in convictions.

First introduced in 2013, the anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda law initially targeted content deemed inappropriate for minors. In 2022, its scope was widened to prohibit the promotion of “non-traditional lifestyles” across all age groups. Violations range from social media posts featuring rainbow imagery to acts of intimacy or perceived LGBTQ-friendly behaviour.

Authorities have cracked down heavily on LGBTQ+ spaces, citing a Russian Supreme Court ruling labelling the “international LGBT movement” as an extremist group aimed at undermining the nation’s birth rate and strength. This stance mirrors rhetoric from Russian President Vladimir Putin and conservative allies, who portray LGBTQ+ identity as a Western cultural invasion.

The law’s enforcement extends beyond individuals, with legal entities, online platforms, and foreign nationals also facing repercussions. Deportations, such as in cases of alleged public indecency or sex work, highlight the law’s broad application.

While Verstka’s tally of prosecutions in 2024 is based on accessible court records, the actual number may be significantly higher, underscoring the escalating crackdown on LGBTQ+ communities in Russia.