Conscription and War: How Militarism Affects the LGBTQ+ Community in Russia
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the situation for LGBTQ+ people in the country has deteriorated significantly. One area of particular concern is the conscription of LGBTQ+ individuals into the Russian military, where they face elevated risks of violence, discrimination, and persecution.
Legal Framework and Practice
Russian law technically allows for alternative civilian service (ACS) for those whose beliefs or religion prohibit them from serving in the armed forces. However, the procedure to obtain ACS is notoriously difficult, often met with rejections by draft boards. During mobilization or wartime, the opportunity to pursue ACS becomes even more limited. As a result, many LGBTQ+ citizens are forced to choose between conscription and facing potential persecution based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Risks Facing LGBTQ+ Conscripts
LGBTQ+ individuals drafted into the military are particularly vulnerable to abuse. There are numerous reports of harassment, humiliation, and violence, often triggered by the disclosure or suspicion of a conscript's LGBTQ+ identity. The military lacks effective safeguards or mechanisms to protect conscripts from discrimination and violence, further exacerbating their vulnerability.
Response from Human Rights Organizations
Human rights groups such as the Conscientious Objectors' Movement have been working to support LGBTQ+ individuals seeking to avoid military service. These organizations offer legal aid, advice on applying for ACS, and assistance in navigating the bureaucratic process. However, given the increasingly repressive environment in Russia, many of these groups face state harassment, surveillance, and obstruction in their efforts to assist vulnerable conscripts.
In a militarized state where anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric is on the rise, the intersection of forced military service and queer identity poses a profound threat to safety, dignity, and human rights.
Legal Framework and Practice
Russian law technically allows for alternative civilian service (ACS) for those whose beliefs or religion prohibit them from serving in the armed forces. However, the procedure to obtain ACS is notoriously difficult, often met with rejections by draft boards. During mobilization or wartime, the opportunity to pursue ACS becomes even more limited. As a result, many LGBTQ+ citizens are forced to choose between conscription and facing potential persecution based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Risks Facing LGBTQ+ Conscripts
LGBTQ+ individuals drafted into the military are particularly vulnerable to abuse. There are numerous reports of harassment, humiliation, and violence, often triggered by the disclosure or suspicion of a conscript's LGBTQ+ identity. The military lacks effective safeguards or mechanisms to protect conscripts from discrimination and violence, further exacerbating their vulnerability.
Response from Human Rights Organizations
Human rights groups such as the Conscientious Objectors' Movement have been working to support LGBTQ+ individuals seeking to avoid military service. These organizations offer legal aid, advice on applying for ACS, and assistance in navigating the bureaucratic process. However, given the increasingly repressive environment in Russia, many of these groups face state harassment, surveillance, and obstruction in their efforts to assist vulnerable conscripts.
In a militarized state where anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric is on the rise, the intersection of forced military service and queer identity poses a profound threat to safety, dignity, and human rights.