Russia has ramped up its crackdown on dissent, including against LGBT persons. This includes a 100-year ban on gay pride marches in Moscow, denial of registration to Sochi Pride House, hefty fines to rights groups accused of acting as a “foreign agent,” and more recently, a federal law banning the "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors." Against this backdrop, harassment and violent attacks on gays or those perceived as gay have become commonplace.

The G20 Summit on September 5 and 6 in St. Petersburg provides the perfect platform to make clear that America stands with Russia’s LGBT citizens. St. Petersburg passed one of the original local bans on gay “propaganda,” and the city is also home to prominent gay rights groups.

Urge President Obama to meet with LGBT Russians and press Putin on his anti-homosexuality law during the G20 Summit.