What Happened in 2024 with Russia’s Repressive Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation
In 2024, Russian authorities fully institutionalized large-scale persecution of the LGBTQ+ community by declaring the "International LGBT Movement" an extremist organization. This ruling by the Russian Supreme Court became a legal tool for launching criminal cases, administrative prosecutions, raids, arrests, and public humiliation. In practice, it gave law enforcement a green light to interfere in the private lives of anyone perceived as non-heterosexual.
Throughout the year, at least nine criminal cases were initiated under Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code (participation in or organization of an extremist organization), alongside related charges. Targets included activists, club owners, bloggers, Telegram administrators, and even travel agencies. One of the most high-profile cases was in Orenburg, where the owners and staff of the LGBTQ+ club Pose were charged with “promoting gender transition” and hosting drag shows—both classified as extremist activity. One co-owner remains in pre-trial detention.
Artyom Fokin, head of the Samara-based LGBTQ+ group Irida, was arrested in spring 2024. Although his organization hadn’t been labeled extremist, its mere existence became the basis for a criminal case. In Ulyanovsk, Ilya Zhuravlyov, CEO of Nefroline-DMG, was charged with both coercion into sexual acts and extremist activity—simply for discussing homosexuality at work.
Brutality and arbitrariness have worsened. During raids on gay clubs in Chita, Kirov, and other cities, patrons were humiliated, beaten, forced to undress, and filmed. The videos and personal data of those detained were leaked to the media. In December, it was reported that Andrey Kotov, head of Men-Travel, a queer travel agency, died in custody after being accused of extremism and child pornography. According to the group Vykhod ("Coming Out"), he was tortured and humiliated in detention before allegedly taking his own life.
In parallel, there has been a rise in cases under Article 20.3 of the Administrative Code (display of extremist symbols)—for rainbow flags, emojis, clothing, or even old posts featuring rainbow colors. In 2024, 61 such cases were recorded; 60% involved content published before the court's decision came into force. Repeat violations of this article can lead to criminal charges under Article 282.4, punishable by up to four years in prison.
Symbolism, statements, event participation, donations, or even past travel with LGBTQ+ tour operators—any of these can trigger legal persecution. Once someone is under investigation, they’re automatically placed on Rosfinmonitoring’s registry for extremists: access to bank accounts is restricted, and property cannot be sold without government approval.
The year 2024 marked the full institutionalization of LGBTQ+ repression in Russia. The legal system has been reshaped to align with state-sponsored homophobia. Even though the so-called “International LGBT Movement” doesn’t exist, its declared "elimination" is destroying real lives—through courtrooms, prisons, media smear campaigns, and deaths.
Experts from the LGBTQ+ group Vykhod warn: the scope of what’s considered punishable is shrinking fast. It's no longer just about symbols. Simply being LGBTQ+ is now enough to be targeted by the state.
Throughout the year, at least nine criminal cases were initiated under Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code (participation in or organization of an extremist organization), alongside related charges. Targets included activists, club owners, bloggers, Telegram administrators, and even travel agencies. One of the most high-profile cases was in Orenburg, where the owners and staff of the LGBTQ+ club Pose were charged with “promoting gender transition” and hosting drag shows—both classified as extremist activity. One co-owner remains in pre-trial detention.
Artyom Fokin, head of the Samara-based LGBTQ+ group Irida, was arrested in spring 2024. Although his organization hadn’t been labeled extremist, its mere existence became the basis for a criminal case. In Ulyanovsk, Ilya Zhuravlyov, CEO of Nefroline-DMG, was charged with both coercion into sexual acts and extremist activity—simply for discussing homosexuality at work.
Brutality and arbitrariness have worsened. During raids on gay clubs in Chita, Kirov, and other cities, patrons were humiliated, beaten, forced to undress, and filmed. The videos and personal data of those detained were leaked to the media. In December, it was reported that Andrey Kotov, head of Men-Travel, a queer travel agency, died in custody after being accused of extremism and child pornography. According to the group Vykhod ("Coming Out"), he was tortured and humiliated in detention before allegedly taking his own life.
In parallel, there has been a rise in cases under Article 20.3 of the Administrative Code (display of extremist symbols)—for rainbow flags, emojis, clothing, or even old posts featuring rainbow colors. In 2024, 61 such cases were recorded; 60% involved content published before the court's decision came into force. Repeat violations of this article can lead to criminal charges under Article 282.4, punishable by up to four years in prison.
Symbolism, statements, event participation, donations, or even past travel with LGBTQ+ tour operators—any of these can trigger legal persecution. Once someone is under investigation, they’re automatically placed on Rosfinmonitoring’s registry for extremists: access to bank accounts is restricted, and property cannot be sold without government approval.
The year 2024 marked the full institutionalization of LGBTQ+ repression in Russia. The legal system has been reshaped to align with state-sponsored homophobia. Even though the so-called “International LGBT Movement” doesn’t exist, its declared "elimination" is destroying real lives—through courtrooms, prisons, media smear campaigns, and deaths.
Experts from the LGBTQ+ group Vykhod warn: the scope of what’s considered punishable is shrinking fast. It's no longer just about symbols. Simply being LGBTQ+ is now enough to be targeted by the state.