LGBT RIGHTS IN RUSSIA

Lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the Russian Federation face unique legal and societal obstacles. Since 1917, it has been lawful for same-sex couples to engage in sexual behaviour; nonetheless, homosexuality is still frowned upon by the majority of Russians, and neither same-sex couples nor the families they lead are entitled to the same legal protections as opposite-sex couples. There are no anti-discrimination safeguards for LGBT individuals in Russia, nor is there a category for offences motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity. Although transgender people are permitted to change their legal gender without undergoing sex reassignment surgery, discrimination against transgender residents may still exist because there are no laws that forbid discrimination based on gender identity or expression. As a psychiatric illness, homosexuality has been declassified.

According to recent polls, the majority of Russians are opposed to the acceptance of homosexuality and favour legislation that discriminate against homosexuals. Russia has always held very negative views on homosexuality. Larger cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg have been considered to have a vibrant LGBT community, while garnering international criticism for the recent rise in social prejudice, crimes, and violence against gays. Local governments have historically opposed gay pride parades; for example, the city of Moscow rejected 100 separate requests to hold Moscow Pride through 2012 despite receiving a fine from the European Court of Human Rights in 2010 for viewing it as discriminatory, citing a potential for violence against attendees.