Russia moves to outlaw LGBTQ+ rights movement

LGBT flag map of Russia
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Russian authorities have moved to outlaw the country’s LGBTQ+ rights movement, labeling it as “extremist.”

Earlier this month, the country’s Justice Ministry filed a lawsuit with the Russian Supreme Court aiming to ban what it called the “international LGBT public movement,” according to multiple media outlets. In a statement, authorities said that they had identified “signs and manifestations of extremist nature” including “incitement of social and religious discord” in the activities of the LGBTQ+ rights movement in Russia.

The Associated Press reported that the country’s Supreme Court will hear the lawsuit on November 30.

As The Guardian noted, Russian authorities have labeled human rights groups, independent media, and groups opposing President Vladimir Putin’s regime as extremists in the past. Some have been prosecuted and received lengthy jail sentences.

It remains unclear if…

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