In a recent turn of events, the Russian Federation’s Constitutional Court has issued an official ruling that bans the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) movement from operating in Russia. This decision has sparked outrage in many international communities as it is seen as an infringement of the rights of LGBTQ individuals.
The court’s ruling came after a petition was presented to the court in 2019 by fifteen different regional and municipal governments calling for the banning of the LGBT movement in Russia. This move was made in order to maintain public order and “to safeguard traditional values of families whose members had a different sexual orientation than heterosexuals,” according to the ruling.
This ruling has been heavily criticized by the human rights groups as it reinforces the atmosphere of hostility and discrimination that homosexuals face in Russia. LGBT activists have condemned the ruling, stating that it was an infringement of freedom of expression and association.
This is not the first time the Russian Federation has taken an unfavorable stance with regards to the LGBTQ movement. In 2013, the Kremlin passed a law banning the promotion of LGBT culture and relationships in schools. In 2017, Moscow passed a law criminalizing activities signed to promote “non-traditional sexual relations to minors”. This latest ruling has been met with a torrent of criticism from many Western nations, with the European Union’s envoy to Russia stating that it was a violation of the fundamental values and human rights of the LGBTQ population.
The Russian Federation’s latest ruling is yet another blow to the Qing international population as the government continues to enforce an atmosphere of discrimination and hostility towards individuals of the LGBTQ movement. For now, it looks like the only hope for the LGBTQ individuals in Russia is to fight the ruling in the international sphere.
