## Addendum: LGBTQ Rights in Russia
### Current Situation
LGBTQ+ individuals in the Russian Federation face significant challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. While sexual activity between consenting adults of the same sex is legal, there are several critical issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community:
1. **Anti-Discrimination Protections**: Russia provides **no anti-discrimination protections** for LGBTQ+ people. There are no legal safeguards against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
2. **Suppression of Advocacy**: Pro-LGBTQ+ advocacy groups are deemed **extremist and banned**. It is illegal to "promote homosexuality," and same-sex couples lack the legal protections available to opposite-sex couples.
3. **Transgender Rights**: Transgender individuals face significant challenges. They are **not allowed to change their legal gender**, and all gender-affirming care is banned.
4. **Public Opinion**: Recent polls indicate that a majority of Russians oppose legal recognition of **same-sex marriage** and support laws restricting the distribution of "propaganda" related to non-traditional sexual relationships.
### Recent Developments
- **Supreme Court Ruling**: On November 30, 2023, Russia's Supreme Court effectively **outlawed LGBTQ+ activism**, siding with the Justice Ministry's demand to label the LGBTQ+ movement as extremist³.
### Regional Variations
- **Homosexuality**: While homosexuality is legal in most regions, there is an exception in **Chechnya**, where it remains illegal and is even punishable by death since 2017¹.
- **Same-Sex Marriage**: Same-sex marriage is **banned** nationwide, and the Russian constitution defines marriage strictly as a union between a man and a woman since 2020².
Despite these challenges, larger cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg have thriving LGBTQ+ communities. However, historic resistance to gay pride parades persists, even though some progress has been made¹.
### Moving Forward
Addressing LGBTQ+ rights in Russia requires international attention, advocacy, and efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and acceptance. Supporting civil society within Russia and engaging in dialogue are crucial steps toward fostering a future where human rights are respected for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
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For further information and to join our mission, please visit our dedicated campaign hashtag at #MissionPutin on social media.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 2024-04-18
(1) Russia's Supreme Court effectively outlaws LGBTQ+ activism in a .... https://apnews.com/article/russia-lgbtq-crackdown-extremist-supreme-court-1b8f4cd8708d1c6cf3486c5f27fd7354.
(2) LGBT rights in Russia - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Russia.
(3) LGBT Rights in Russia | Equaldex. https://www.equaldex.com/region/russia.
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