2013: gay rights activists carry rainbow flags as they march during a May Day rally in St Petersburg. (c) Dmitry Lovetsky / AP / Press Association Images. All rights reserved.The current geopolitical confrontation between Russia and the west has partially taken gay rights in Russia off the international agenda.
But back in 2013, Russia’s LGBT community attracted worldwide attention after the parliament passed the so-called “gay propaganda law”, which was designed to “protect children from information advocating for a denial of traditional family values". In short, the law, though applied selectively, bans the distribution of information that recognises "non-traditional sexual relationships" as an acceptable social norm among children. Possible punishment includes fines for individuals, officials and legal entities. Legal entities might face suspension of operations for 90 days. Foreigners can be detained or deported.
Since 2013, Russia has seen a rise in homophobic attacks. People are beaten, humiliated and even murdered. But it isn’t always clear whether these crimes are motivated by homophobia or by other factors. The ILGA-Europe Rainbow Index tracks how policies, laws and practices affect the lives of LGBT people across 49 European countries on a percentage basis (0% = no equality, 100% = full equality). According to the index, in 2015, Russia came 48 out of 49, with an overall score of 8% (Azerbaijan scored lower). In 2016, that score decreased to 7%.
