Russia considers LGBT movement an 'extremist group'

The Russian Supreme Court declared the international LGBT movement an extremist group and banned all its activities on Russian territory.

"We confirm the statement of the Ministry of Justice , which considers the LGBT movement to be extremist," the Russian Supreme Court judge said in a ruling today. "The international LGBT movement and its branches are extremist organizations and are banned from operating on Russian territory."

The ban is effective immediately, the judge said. The ruling did not specify whether certain individuals or organizations would be affected by the decision. If applied to individuals, “extremism” means gay, lesbian, and transgender people living in Russia could face years in prison.

LGBT community march in St. Petersburg, Russia in 2017. Photo: Reuters

Russian media reported that the trial was held behind closed doors due to the secrecy surrounding the documents. No representatives of the “international LGBT movement” were present at the hearings, only lawyers from the Russian Ministry of Justice were present. The court spent about four hours examining the evidence presented by the Ministry of Justice.

The Russian Justice Ministry filed a petition earlier this month to ban the LGBT movement. The petition pointed out that many signs and manifestations of extremism, including inciting social and religious discord, are present in the activities of the LGBT movement on Russian territory.

"One day it will all end, but for now we need to try to continue living and save ourselves," a Russian feminist organization posted on social media.

Other NGOs , including transgender rights group Center T, said they would issue safety guidelines for members of the LGBTQ community.

Late last year, President Putin signed a law banning LGBT propaganda. The law expands on the law banning LGBT propaganda to minors in Russia. Under the new law, the expression or mention of “LGBT relationships and lifestyles” is now banned for all Russian citizens.

Russia passed a bill in July banning all sex-change operations, except for children with congenital disabilities. The bill also prohibits people from changing their gender on government-issued documents. For those who have already undergone gender reassignment surgery in Russia, the new bill would ban adoption and would not recognize their marital status.

According to Reuters , Russian authorities have used laws banning LGBT propaganda to limit the community's marches. Before 1993, Russia considered homosexuality a crime. Since 1999, it has been considered a "mental illness" in Russia, according to the Moscow Times .

Huyen Le (According to AFP , RT , TASS )

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