Most Russians Support Restrictions on LGBTQ+ People — Findings from RussianField’s Public Values Study
Sociological research in Russia remains fraught with difficulties. The risk of repression forces many respondents to alter their answers to align with authoritarian norms. All collected data must therefore be treated with skepticism.
In August 2023, RussianField conducted a nationwide survey examining Russian perceptions of “traditional” versus “European” values, as well as attitudes toward LGBTQ+ and transgender rights. The telephone survey included 1,600 respondents, representative by gender, age, and region. The margin of error did not exceed 2.45%. Despite limitations, the study provides a troubling snapshot of prevailing public attitudes toward gender and sexual diversity in Russia.
Russian vs. European Values: An Ideological Divide
When asked openly about “traditional Russian values,” most respondents cited family, patriotism, love for the homeland, and respect for elders. Less frequent responses included honesty, faith, culture, and children. In contrast, “European values” were most often associated with LGBTQ+ people, freedom, and homosexuality. Less common associations included democracy, tolerance, and culture. Some responses were overtly hostile: “disgust,” “nothing good,” “non-traditional orientation.”
These associations reflect the deep influence of state rhetoric, which has for years positioned LGBTQ+ identities as foreign, imposed threats to national identity.
Support for Discrimination
44% of respondents acknowledged existing restrictions on LGBTQ+ people in Russia—most often naming the bans on same-sex marriage and “LGBT propaganda.” A majority, 62%, believed that such restrictions should exist. Only 22% opposed them.
A quarter (25%) supported limiting public distribution of LGBTQ+ information, 13% endorsed restricting public displays of affection, and 11% believed LGBTQ+ people should not be allowed to live in Russia at all.
Support for restrictions was highest among older, lower-income, and less-educated respondents. Younger people and those with higher education and income were more likely to oppose discriminatory measures.
Transgender Awareness and Misunderstanding
89% of respondents said they had heard of transgender people, but deeper understanding was lacking. 40% could not say whether restrictions on transgender people exist in Russia. 12% mentioned difficulties accessing medical transition. Nearly a quarter (24%) believed there were no restrictions at all.
Calls for restrictions on trans people were more common among men, those aged 30–44 or 60+, and people with lower education or income. Young people (46%), university graduates, and high-income earners were more likely to oppose such restrictions. Women and older respondents were more likely to say they didn’t know.
Open Aggression Rare but Revealing
Openly aggressive reactions to questions about LGBTQ+ or transgender people were rare—2.7% and 1.2% of responses, respectively. However, aggression was more common among men without higher education, the unemployed, and those with low income. Aggressive reactions also correlated with older age.
What It Means
These findings confirm that state-driven propaganda and legal repression of LGBTQ+ people are resonating with large segments of the population. Particularly alarming are signs of deep-seated support for exclusionary policies—including the idea that LGBTQ+ people should be expelled from Russia.
Effective resistance to homophobic and transphobic policy must include not just legal and political efforts, but also widespread education—especially among young people, who, according to the survey, are more supportive of equal rights.
Full source of the study
In August 2023, RussianField conducted a nationwide survey examining Russian perceptions of “traditional” versus “European” values, as well as attitudes toward LGBTQ+ and transgender rights. The telephone survey included 1,600 respondents, representative by gender, age, and region. The margin of error did not exceed 2.45%. Despite limitations, the study provides a troubling snapshot of prevailing public attitudes toward gender and sexual diversity in Russia.
Russian vs. European Values: An Ideological Divide
When asked openly about “traditional Russian values,” most respondents cited family, patriotism, love for the homeland, and respect for elders. Less frequent responses included honesty, faith, culture, and children. In contrast, “European values” were most often associated with LGBTQ+ people, freedom, and homosexuality. Less common associations included democracy, tolerance, and culture. Some responses were overtly hostile: “disgust,” “nothing good,” “non-traditional orientation.”
These associations reflect the deep influence of state rhetoric, which has for years positioned LGBTQ+ identities as foreign, imposed threats to national identity.
Support for Discrimination
44% of respondents acknowledged existing restrictions on LGBTQ+ people in Russia—most often naming the bans on same-sex marriage and “LGBT propaganda.” A majority, 62%, believed that such restrictions should exist. Only 22% opposed them.
A quarter (25%) supported limiting public distribution of LGBTQ+ information, 13% endorsed restricting public displays of affection, and 11% believed LGBTQ+ people should not be allowed to live in Russia at all.
Support for restrictions was highest among older, lower-income, and less-educated respondents. Younger people and those with higher education and income were more likely to oppose discriminatory measures.
Transgender Awareness and Misunderstanding
89% of respondents said they had heard of transgender people, but deeper understanding was lacking. 40% could not say whether restrictions on transgender people exist in Russia. 12% mentioned difficulties accessing medical transition. Nearly a quarter (24%) believed there were no restrictions at all.
Calls for restrictions on trans people were more common among men, those aged 30–44 or 60+, and people with lower education or income. Young people (46%), university graduates, and high-income earners were more likely to oppose such restrictions. Women and older respondents were more likely to say they didn’t know.
Open Aggression Rare but Revealing
Openly aggressive reactions to questions about LGBTQ+ or transgender people were rare—2.7% and 1.2% of responses, respectively. However, aggression was more common among men without higher education, the unemployed, and those with low income. Aggressive reactions also correlated with older age.
What It Means
These findings confirm that state-driven propaganda and legal repression of LGBTQ+ people are resonating with large segments of the population. Particularly alarming are signs of deep-seated support for exclusionary policies—including the idea that LGBTQ+ people should be expelled from Russia.
Effective resistance to homophobic and transphobic policy must include not just legal and political efforts, but also widespread education—especially among young people, who, according to the survey, are more supportive of equal rights.
Full source of the study