Russia’s Supreme Court effectively outlaws LGBTQ+ activism, citing ‘extremist’ movement
PBS NewsHourNov 30, 2023
Russia: Two Arrested Under New Anti-LGBTQ+ Law
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The Facts
A Russian court has ordered the arrest of two employees of an LGBTQ+ club on charges of organizing an "extremist organization." This is the country's first legal action under new legislation which banned the "international LGBT movement" last November.
Alexander Kilmov and Diana Kamilyanova, the art director and administrator of the Pose club, could face up to 10 years in prison after the Orenburg court ruled that they "acted in premeditation with a group of people... who also support the views and activities of the international public association LGBT."
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
Russia's brutal and oppressive regime continues its human rights abuses by criminalizing the LGBTQ+ community and declaring the non-existent "international LGBT movement" to be "extremist." Russia's laws are purposefully nebulous, and are intended to infringe on the free expression of LGBTQ+ persons. The authoritarian and regressive policies are reprehensible and demonstrate the depths of Russia's bigotry.
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia has implemented laws promoting traditional values that all societies have held for millennia. However, radical extremists have hijacked international organizations and governments to push overt anti-family propaganda. The Kremlin has an obligation to ensure that LGBTQ+ people are restricted from flaunting their lifestyles in front of children.
