In recent years, Russia’s LGBTQ+ community has faced an increasingly hostile environment, as the government’s stance against LGBTQ+ rights has grown more severe. Activists and members of the community now live in constant fear of legal repercussions, societal rejection, and even imprisonment. The situation has worsened with the implementation of new laws, the expansion of existing bans, and increasingly oppressive court rulings. Among those affected are Gela Gogishvili and Haoyang Xu, a gay couple from Kazan, Russia, whose lives were upended as the government’s anti-LGBTQ+ agenda deepened.
Gogishvili, a pharmacist, and Xu, a Chinese national studying international relations in Russia, had a relatively normal life as a couple. They lived in the city of Kazan, located in the Tatarstan region, where they built a public presence, drawing thousands of followers through their social media posts and videos. The couple even received warm greetings from locals as they walked the streets, a sign of support and acceptance for their love despite Russia’s overall anti-LGBTQ+ climate.
However, their lives were dramatically altered when the Russian government expanded its “anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda” laws in December 2022. Originally, these laws were designed to restrict the spread of LGBTQ+ content to minors. But with the new amendments, the ban was broadened to include adults, effectively making any public endorsement or display of LGBTQ+ activities illegal. The crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights escalated quickly. Gogishvili and Xu became targets of online hate and threats, which soon escalated into complaints made to the authorities.
In 2023, they were detained under accusations of spreading “LGBT propaganda” among minors. Gogishvili was fined heavily, while Xu, an international student, was sent to a detention center for migrants pending deportation. Fearing for their lives and safety, the couple fled Russia. After a period of separation, they were eventually reunited in France, where they are now seeking asylum. However, they remain deeply concerned about the future of Russia’s LGBTQ+ community, which is increasingly marginalized and threatened by legal and societal forces.
A Darker Future: Russia’s Legal Crackdown on LGBTQ+ Activism
The challenges faced by Gogishvili and Xu reflect the broader, deeply troubling trends in Russia, where LGBTQ+ activism is now considered a criminal act. Just over a year ago, Russia’s Supreme Court made a historic ruling that further escalated the repression of the LGBTQ+ community by designating “the international LGBT movement” as extremist. This ruling, which effectively outlawed any form of LGBTQ+ activism, has led to heightened fears of persecution among activists and community members. The ruling not only targeted individual activists but also criminalized organizations and entities that support LGBTQ+ rights, putting anyone associated with the movement at risk of imprisonment.
In practical terms, the ruling means that LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in Russia can face up to six years in prison for simply being involved in or even supporting LGBTQ+ causes. This has created a climate of fear and uncertainty, where LGBTQ+ individuals must constantly weigh the risks of public expression or even personal associations with the community. Gela Gogishvili expressed deep concern for the LGBTQ+ individuals still residing in Russia, stating, “I’m scared for the queer community in Russia that remains in the country.” His statement reflects a common sentiment among those who have been forced to flee, but who still worry about the safety of loved ones or those unable to leave.
LGBTQ+ Rights and the War in Ukraine: A Propaganda Tool for the Kremlin
The Russian government’s harsh stance on LGBTQ+ rights is tied to broader geopolitical narratives, particularly the ongoing war in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin and other government officials have framed the conflict as a proxy battle with the West, arguing that Russia must defend itself against what they perceive as a Western agenda to undermine traditional Russian values. Central to this narrative is the claim that the West is trying to impose “liberal” values, including LGBTQ+ rights, on Russia. Putin has gone so far as to assert that these “values” are part of a broader agenda aimed at the destruction of Russia’s cultural and moral fabric.
Putin has publicly described LGBTQ+ rights as a threat to the stability of the country, repeatedly linking them to the “decay” of society. He has even stated that LGBTQ+ rights are part of a Western plot to degrade and destabilize Russia, a claim he has used to justify aggressive policies aimed at restricting the rights of sexual minorities. Putin’s stance has had significant ramifications, particularly in terms of legislative actions and the public’s treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Russian Parliament Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, in line with the official rhetoric, has labeled gender transitioning as “pure satanism” and has called for LGBTQ+ policies to remain a Western issue, far removed from Russian society. This alignment of LGBTQ+ rights with nationalistic, anti-Western sentiment has only intensified the persecution of Russia’s LGBTQ+ community, making it a focal point of state propaganda and social control.
The Banning of Public Representation and the Silence of the LGBTQ+ Community
Under these extreme legal pressures, LGBTQ+ individuals in Russia face a severe restriction of their rights. Public representations of gay, transgender, or non-binary people are banned, and any form of gender-affirming care or change of gender on official documents is now prohibited. These prohibitions are not limited to public figures but extend to private citizens, placing anyone within the LGBTQ+ community at risk. The government’s tightening grip has been further solidified with the Supreme Court’s November 2023 ruling, which made it clear that even private expressions of LGBTQ+ identity or activism could lead to criminal charges.
As a result, the LGBTQ+ community has been pushed further into the shadows. Many individuals have chosen to leave the country, fearing for their safety and future under the increasingly oppressive regime. However, not everyone has the means or opportunity to escape. Those who remain live in constant fear of surveillance, arrest, and social ostracization. The few activists still operating in Russia are left grappling with the difficult question, “What is worth me going to prison for six years?” According to Nikolai Alekseev, the head of the Moscow Community Center for LGBT+ Initiatives, this question weighs heavily on every activist in the country, as the risks continue to escalate.
International Response and the Future of LGBTQ+ Rights in Russia
The international community has expressed growing concern over Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws and the persecution of sexual minorities. Various human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have repeatedly condemned the Kremlin’s actions, calling them violations of fundamental human rights. Despite international pressure, however, Russia has shown little inclination to change its policies, as the government continues to frame its actions as a defense of traditional values against foreign influence.
For those who have fled Russia, the road ahead remains uncertain. While countries like France, Germany, and other EU nations have provided asylum to many LGBTQ+ refugees, the future for those still in Russia remains grim. The government’s crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights shows no sign of abating, and the broader social climate continues to be one of fear, discrimination, and violence.
As the war in Ukraine continues and tensions between Russia and the West grow, it is likely that LGBTQ+ people in Russia will remain one of the most marginalized and persecuted groups in the country. Until the political climate shifts, Russia’s LGBTQ+ community will continue to fight for their rights, both inside and outside the country, hoping for a day when they can live freely and openly once again.
