Russia considers LGBT movement an 'extremist group'

The Russian Supreme Court declared the international LGBT movement an extremist group and banned all their 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 judge said the ban takes effect immediately. The ruling did not specify whether any individuals or organizations would be affected by the decision. If applied to individuals, “extremism” means that gay, lesbian, and transgender people living in Russia could face years in prison.

LGBT community protest in St. Petersburg, Russia in 2017. Photo: Reuters — 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 confidentiality of 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 Ministry of Justice filed a petition earlier this month seeking to ban the LGBT movement. The petition cited numerous signs and manifestations of extremism, including inciting social and religious discord, 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 Russia's previous law banning LGBT propaganda to minors. 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 them from adopting children and would not recognize their marital status.

According to Reuters , Russian authorities have used a law 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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