Silenced and Invisible: The Harsh Reality of LGBTQ+ Existence in Russia Amidst Crackdowns and Extremism Labels

«The world around you crumbled in an instant, and suddenly everything felt perilous — as if you woke up one day to find out you’re classified as a second-class citizen,» shared a queer woman from St. Petersburg with The Moscow Times.

Since the Russian Supreme Court labeled the so-called «international LGBT movement» as extremist a year and a half ago, despite its lack of formal existence, the queer community in Russia has faced escalating pressure, fear, and oppression.

Under this broad classification, any public expression of queerness — such as wearing a rainbow pin, posting a photo with a same-sex partner, or even possessing a book — could be viewed as extremist.

“I conceal my sexual orientation, but that concealment has become a part of me. I’ve grown accustomed to it,” remarked a 24-year-old gay man from Moscow. Like others who contributed to this article, he requested to remain anonymous.

All the queer individuals who spoke to The Moscow Times expressed that the primary issue lies in the ambiguity surrounding what constitutes illegality under the extremism declaration, leading many to completely hide their sexual identity.

“I’m in a relationship, but outside our chats on social messenger and at home, we maintain the facade of friendship,” one gay man explained, illustrating how many queer individuals navigate life in Russia.

“You’re left in the dark about what’s permissible, what’s prohibited, and what consequences you might face,” said a 34-year-old queer woman from St. Petersburg.

“Could you face a decade behind bars for a post on VKontakte? Or merely receive a fine for wearing rainbow earrings? Or might you be harassed in public for holding hands with your girlfriend? There are no clear answers,” she pondered.

Another gay individual conveyed his sense of alienation, stating, “There’s no place for someone like me in Russia.”

“I don’t feel secure — even visiting a gay club could jeopardize my job or worse. Holding hands with my boyfriend could result in imprisonment or worse outcomes in custody. I have to force myself to conform to a society that offers no acceptance for me,” he said, alluding to well-documented instances of abuse and harassment of LGBTQ+ individuals in Russian prisons.

In 2024, Russian courts imposed 146 fines for what are termed “gay propaganda,” an offense introduced under a law in 2013 that has continuously expanded its scope.

Following the extremist classification, Russian authorities initiated at least 12 criminal investigations over charges tied to LGBTQ+ activities, as reported by the independent monitoring organization OVD-Info. Such charges could lead to sentences of up to 12 years in prison.

One notably tragic case amidst the crackdown on «LGBT extremism» involves 48-year-old Andrei Kotov, whose death in pre-trial detention raised alarm about the pressures faced by those accused under anti-LGBTQ+ laws.

Kotov was arrested in Moscow in late December 2024, accused of forming an extremist organization related to his alleged coordination of “gay tours.” He was listed in the federal registry of terrorists and extremists, enabling authorities to freeze his bank accounts without judicial consent.

Before his death, Kotov reported suffering beatings and electric shocks while in custody.

His attorney informed the BBC’s Russian service that Kotov was unaware that his activities could be classified as extremist, asserting that he never fully grasped the nature of the charges against him.

Engaging in nightlife or planning social events could also risk incarceration.

The first criminal case targeting someone for allegedly «organizing an extremist community» due to LGBTQ+ ties emerged in March 2024. Vyacheslav Khasanov, owner of the Pose nightclub in Orenburg, was apprehended along with staff Alexander Klimov and Diana Kamilyanova.

All three were subsequently added to the federal terrorists and extremists registry.

In total, more than 50 establishments reportedly linked to LGBTQ+ events have been raided in the past year and a half under the guise of combating «LGBT propaganda,» according to a joint report by Current Time and the Sfera Foundation, which assists LGBTQ+ individuals in Russia.

Literary works have not escaped scrutiny either. Recently, at least three major publishers — Samokat, Ripol, and Eksmo — requested the removal of specific titles thought to include LGBTQ+ themes from bookstores, demanding their return or destruction with documented proof.

Last month, three employees from the independent publisher Individuum were arrested for producing literature featuring LGBTQ+ themes and charged with orchestrating an extremist organization.

State repression has considerably worsened public perceptions of LGBTQ+ individuals in families, academic institutions, and workplaces, declared Yan Dvorkin, head of Center-T, an organization supporting transgender and non-binary individuals in Russia.

“Individuals who were once merely transphobic or homophobic now feel emboldened to intimidate, blackmail, and threaten others with administrative or even legal action,” Dvorkin noted.

LGBTQ+ Russians are increasingly hesitant to reveal their identities to healthcare providers out of fear of discrimination. According to a recent report by LGBTQ+ organizations Vyhod and Sfera, roughly one-third (29%) of LGBTQ+ respondents admitted to avoiding healthcare visits at least once in 2024 due to anxiety over bias.

For transgender individuals, the rate exceeds 50%. Additionally, in 2023, Russia prohibited gender-reassignment surgery and hormone therapy as part of the transition process.

A 17-year-old transgender girl from Tambov reported to Center T’s discrimination monitoring team that a physician denied her treatment on account of her gender identity.

Olga, an 18-year-old from Kazan, shared that during her transition, she faced two complaints at university concerning her appearance — leading to her expulsion.

While the extent of risks for LGBTQ+ individuals remaining in Russia is challenging to quantify, at least 83% of respondents in the report indicated feeling threatened following the classification of the «international LGBT movement» as extremist.

For some, the current state of repression has made emigration almost inevitable.

«If I leave Russia, it will be entirely due to the LGBT propaganda law,» a gay individual confided to The Moscow Times. “Everyone I know has plans to leave.”

According to Dvorkin, LGBTQ+ individuals are «increasingly withdrawing from public life in reaction to the repression,» resulting in «the erasure of any mention, visibility, or representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in the media.»

“We fought extensively for that visibility,” he asserted. “Because it provides a degree of protection. When you’re visible, you exist — you can claim your space, your rights, your history,” he continued.

“What’s currently unfolding is an erasure that’s pulling us back into an era of fear and helplessness,” he concluded.