Nationalist and Orthodox militants attacking LGBT rights activists in Voronezh.





One of our Observers in Russia has sent us footage of gay rights activists being attacked during recent protests. He tells us about the climate of fear and hatred against gays in his country.

It is not a good time to be gay in Russia. On Friday, the Russian parliament gave initial backing to a law banning “homosexual propaganda targeting minors”. There was little debate before 388 members of parliament voted for it, versus only one against and one abstaining. This nationwide bill has galvanized LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) activists to organize protests in various Russian cities, during which they were targeted — sometimes very violently — by nationalist and Orthodox militants.

The proposed law would outlaw public demonstrations and dissemination of information about the LGBT community to minors. As a result, gay couples would not be able to kiss or even hold hands in the street; if they ignore the law, they could be fined between 100 to 125 euros per person. The city of St. Petersburg adopted similar legislation in May 2012

Those pushing the proposed law, most prominently the powerful Russian Orthodox Church, applaud its promotion of traditional Russian and Orthodox values in the face of western values. The Kremlin also seeks to increase the national birth rate, which has been in freefall since the end of the USSR.

On January 22, dozens of LGBT activists rallied for a “kiss-in” in front of the parliament building in Moscow. They were insulted and beat up by dozens of men, as shown in these two videos.

Footage of the protest in front of parliament on January 22. Video: Vassili Sonkine.

Our Observer explains that on January 20, in Voronezh, a city 500 km south of Moscow, gay activists were violently attacked by nationalist and Orthodox militants.

Footage of the protest in Voronezh on Sunday, January 20. Video: Автомир портал

Russia decriminalised homosexuality in 1993, but homophobia is still rampant. Gay pride parades are frequently cancelled and attacks against homosexuals are very common.