Russia intensifies its homophobia: raids on premises in Moscow where LGBT ideology was “promoted”

The Russian Police, in collaboration with the Federal Security Service (FSB), have carried out night raids on premises in the capital, Moscow, in which “LGBT ideology was promoted”, all within the framework of the legislation approved in November 2022 and which toughens and expands punishments for those who spread LGTB content, a community persecuted and banned in the country.

In addition to “fight LGBT propaganda”the Police officers have searched to find out if the place was apologizing for “non-traditional sexual relations” and check the working conditions of the workers, as detailed by the press service of the Moscow Ministry of the Interior to the TASS news agency.

The security device has focused specifically on a North Moscow nightspotwhere mobile phones, laptops, video cameras and “others” have been seized important elements to make a procedural decision”. The illegal sale of alcohol has also been detected and weapons have been seized.

Thus, the Police have extended the deployment to two other nightlife venues in the capital in which the attendees have been identified. The security forces have justified these other operations in the complaints from neighbors.

During the device it has also stopped director of a travel agency on suspicion of organizing excursions “for supporters of the LGBT community throughout Russia and abroad in exchange for money.” The authorities point out that he would be organizing a trip to Egypt for the New Year “for supporters of non-traditional sexual values.”

In mid-November 2022, the Russian State Duma approved a reform that toughens and expands punishments against those who spread LGBT content, with measures that no longer extend only to minors. The Russian ruling party justified the reform with the need to combat scourges such as pedophiliabut international human rights organizations warned of the democratic regression that this measure represented.

Thus, by virtue of this measure, the dissemination of content on sexual orientations considered non-traditional is prohibited, with a specific section to prevent “propaganda” of gender reassignment therapies. Fines can reach 400,000 rubles (about 6,500 euros) in the case of ordinary citizens, or even double for civil servants.

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