Russia's Supreme Court bans 'LGBT movement', terms it as 'extremist'

Russia’s Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that LGBT activists should be designated as extremists. The Supreme Court in Moscow issued this ruling, specifying that the “international LGBT public movement and its subdivisions” are now considered extremist, resulting in an immediate ban on their activities within Russia. The hearing took place behind closed doors and without any defence present, Russian media reported ahead of the verdict. If applied to individuals, the “extremist” label means gay, lesbian, transgender or queer people living in Russia could face years in jail. The lack of transparency during the hearing raised concerns about due process. In response to the verdict, the Feminist Anti-War Resistance, critical of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, expressed a somber acknowledgment that the struggle continues. Meanwhile, NGOs such as the transgender rights group “Center T” announced plans to release safety guidelines for LGBTQ+ community members. The director, Yan Dvorkin, who left Russia due to security concerns, described the legal proceedings as a “new low point of insanity.” Many attribute Russia’s intensified conservative stance to its military involvement in Ukraine last year. With inputs from AFP