June marks International LGBTQ+ Pride Month | Argument

LGBTQ parades, mass actions in support of the rights of queer people, educational and cultural events aimed at combating discrimination, stigmatization and hatred against sexual minorities are taking place around the world .

For Russia, the topic of gender and sexual diversity is especially relevant - in the country, queer people face large-scale discrimination both from society and from the state. LGBTQ people are subject to political persecution, and the very topic of protecting their rights remains taboo.

The Russian authorities consistently pursue an official policy of discrimination against sexual minorities. Officials are actively promoting “traditional values” ; laws have been passed banning “LGBT propaganda” and changing gender markers . The Supreme Court recognized the “LGBT movement” as an “extremist organization.”

Russian security forces conduct raids on closed LGBT parties and gay clubs, arrest people for wearing rainbow earrings, and open criminal cases against people for any interaction with queer people. LGBTQ+ people are also victims of hatred, violence and discrimination in everyday life.

Earlier, a transgender girl from the city of Vladimir told in an interview with Dovod what difficulties she faced due to the transphobic policies of the Russian authorities. She was expelled from college, cannot get a job and cannot officially change the gender marker on her documents - due to a law passed by Putin in 2023. After this interview, denunciations were written on Dovod for “LGBT propaganda.”

After this, in Vladimir, a transgender cashier was also fired from the Pyaterochka store after a denunciation by Veterans of Russia for wearing makeup and long hair. The cashier was also harassed on social media.