International News Russian authorities arrest several employees of Russia’s largest book publisher over alleged LGBTQ+ “propaganda” and “extremism” The Russian government unleashed a new wave of repression against LGBTQ+ people on Wednesday, 14 May after law enforcement authorities searched the offices of Russia’s largest book publisher and arrested several employees over alleged LGBTQ+ “propaganda” and “extremism”. According to a state-run new By Graham Robson • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News Russian authorities declare Elton John AIDS Foundation as “undesirable” for supporting LGBTQ+ rights Russian authorities have effectively banned the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF), which focuses on HIV/AIDS prevention, from the country, declaring the Foundation as “undesirable” for supporting LGBTQ+ rights. Founded by Elton John in 1992, the organisation funds HIV treatment programmes globally, By Graham Robson • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News Multiple Russians fined for “looking too gay” in anti-LGBTQ+ crackdown Multiple people have been fined for “looking too gay” due to their choice of outfits after a police raid on a Russian nightclub. In February 2024, eight people were arrested following a police raid on a nightclub in Tula, 120 miles south of Moscow. Seven people were reportedly hit with charges for “ By Graham Robson • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News Russia “absolutely sure” its people won’t be affected by Mpox outbreak due to country’s “traditional values” Russia, which in 2023 ruled the LGBTQ+ movement to be “extremist”, before outlawing it in the country, has said it’s “absolutely sure” that the spread of Mpox is “not something we need to be afraid of” because gays don’t exist in the country. The alert declaring Mpox a clear and present danger to th By Graham Robson • 1 min read
E67ANH LGBT rights Russia protest People protests with a placard for the rights of the LGBT community in Russia, Stop violence against Gay Prague pride, Czech Republic International News Two online film distributors charged with offences under Russia’s so-called ‘LGBT propaganda law’. Two online film distributors have been charged with offences under Russia’s so-called ‘LGBT propaganda law’. The companies, Kinopoisk and Restream Media, face an administrative case for the “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships” or “gender reassignment” online, according to the notice By Graham Robson • 1 min read
International News Two arrested in Russia’s first LGBTQ+ ‘extremism’ criminal case A Russian court has ordered a bar administrator and its art director to be placed in custody, accusing them of organising an “extremist organisation” under new legislation criminalising the LGBTQ community. They will remain in custody until May 18 and face up to 10 years in prison, according to the By Graham Robson • 1 min read
International News Russia passes ‘anti-gay’ propaganda law The lower house of Russia’s parliament has passed the final reading of a bill that bans the promotion of ‘LGBT propaganda’ to children – including in films, books or advertising – expanding on a law that was adopted in 2013. By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Features & Longread Gay soldier in Ukraine: “If I am captured, they will torture me” Less than a month ago, Viktor Pylypenko lived a peaceful life raising awareness of gay rights issues in Ukraine. Now he’s on the front line of a war, dodging Russian forces who may be out to capture and kill him. By Graham Robson • 3 min read
General News New Russian law to illegalise gender change A new law has been proposed in Russia that would prevent transgender citizens from legally changing their gender to align with their gender identity. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
