Two bar workers arrested in Russia’s first LGBTQ ‘extremism’ case
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In a shocking turn of events, two individuals in Russia have become the first to be arrested under the country’s new “LGBTQ+ extremism” law. The arrests come on the heels of Russia’s Supreme Court outlawing the “international LGBT movement” towards the end of last year. The individuals, Alexander Klimov and Diana Kamilyanova, were staff members at Pose, a venue located in the city of Orenburg near the border with Kazakhstan. They were detained following a police raid earlier this month, with footage of the incident circulating online.
According to information from the Central District Court of Orenburg, Klimov and Kamilyanova were identified as individuals with a “non-traditional sexual orientation” who were allegedly acting in a group with unidentified persons supporting the views and activities of the banned LGBT international public association. The court alleged that Klimov was involved in selecting drag queen artists, holding meetings, and promoting non-traditional sexual relationships among bar visitors. Kamilyanova, on the other hand, was accused of selecting staff, monitoring service quality, approving performances, recording videos promoting non-traditional relationships, and handling financial and economic functions.
The pair is currently in custody and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. This incident sheds light on the dangerous environment for LGBTQ+ individuals in Russia. The country’s declaration of the “international public LGBT movement” as an extremist organization has put queer people at risk of lengthy prison sentences solely based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Activists and advocates have expressed grave concerns about the implications of this law. Alexei Sergeyev stated that he has never felt such a serious and real threat before, while Igor Kochetkov highlighted that the law effectively makes any form of queer activism impossible in Russia. Since the law came into effect, there have been several instances of police raids targeting LGBTQ+ spaces and events, including a gay bar in Yekaterinburg, a My Little Pony convention shut down for allegedly promoting LGBTQ+ propaganda, and an anti-war LGBTQ+ party disrupted near St Petersburg.
This crackdown on LGBTQ+ individuals is not new in Russia. The country has a history of enacting discriminatory laws, such as the ban on gay ‘propaganda’ in 2013, which has since been extended to cover adults as well. Additionally, Russia defines marriage as strictly between a man and woman, effectively outlawing same-sex marriage, and recently banned gender-affirming care. These oppressive measures have created a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, where basic rights and freedoms are constantly under threat.
The recent arrests of Klimov and Kamilyanova serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Russia. As the country continues to target and criminalize queer individuals under the guise of combating extremism, it is imperative for international communities to speak out against these human rights violations and stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ individuals in Russia. The fight for equality and acceptance must continue, despite the oppressive laws and discriminatory practices that seek to silence marginalized communities.
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