Russian police are reported to have raided several local gay clubs across Moscow. This happened less than 48 hours after the Russian Supreme Court passed a motion to outlaw the “LGBT movement.”
On December 2, claiming to be searching for drugs, Russian police raided several gay hangouts in Moscow, including, a male sauna, a popular bar, and at least three nightclubs. LGBTQ+ club-goers found themselves suddenly detained by police officers while their IDs were photographed. According to one eyewitness, “In the middle of the party, the music was stopped, and [police] began going into the lounges.” Detained citizens and foreigners alike feared lengthy prison sentences.
These raids came less than 48 hours after the Russian Supreme Court declared what it called the “LGBT public movement” as an extremist organization. A hearing was held behind closed doors which resulted in this major move to restrict queer rights in the nation; reportedly, no one spoke for the defense. In fact, no such political group exists.
The Russian government has been historically averse to LGBTQ+ people. Under Putin, the Kremlin has focused in on the fight against the West, as well as preserving traditional family values. In 2013, a law was passed which prohibited the display of “non-traditional sexual relations” to minors; last year, this law was expanded to all ages. The Russian constitution was altered in 2020 to specify that marriage was only recognized between a man and a woman.
Now, ahead of an upcoming election in March, Russia seeks to chase LGBTQ+ people out entirely. Vitaly Milonov, an MP from the United Russia party, claims that this most recent legislation is not meant to restrict individuals’ private lives, but rather to limit the movement of a supposed LGBTQ+ international political force (which, once again, does not exist). He says that the goal is to ban any LGBTQ+ activism or public display. Milonov’s next target is the rainbow flag, which he claims is a “symbol of the fight with the traditional family.”
