11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Gay community continued to suffer societal stigma and discrimination; in May 2007 during violent attacks on gay rights activists, Moscow police enabled antigay demonstrators to disrupt gay pride demonstration ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22701]

"While homosexuality is not illegal, the gay community continued to suffer societal stigma and discrimination. Medical practitioners reportedly continued to limit or refuse their access to health services due to intolerance and prejudice. According to recent studies, male homosexuals were refused work due to their sexuality. Openly gay men were targets for skinhead aggression, which was often met with police indifference. A few gay rights organizations operated out of public view.

In May during violent attacks on gay rights activists, Moscow police enabled antigay demonstrators to disrupt a gay pride demonstration instead of protecting human rights and gay rights advocates. Police did not investigate or take action against any of several hundred protesters that shouted threats and threw rocks, bottles, and eggs at participants in a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender "open party" in Moscow in April 2006 or against any of approximately 100 protestors that gathered outside a gay club the next night and conducted themselves in a similar manner."

Document(s): Open document

31.01.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Police arrested 21 people, as several dozen lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people tried to hold peaceful demonstration on 27 May 2007; dozens of anti-gay protesters beat and kicked peaceful participants as riot police stood by ("World Report 2008") [ID 22466]

"On May 27 several dozen Russian lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, and their supporters, tried to hold a peaceful demonstration outside Moscow’s City Hall. Police arrested 21 demonstrators and observers as the event’s organizers attempted to deliver a petition to the mayor’s office protesting its ban on a gay pride parade, which Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov had declared “satanic.” Dozens of anti-gay protesters, including skinheads, nationalists, and Russian Orthodox adherents, beat and kicked peaceful participants as riot police stood by."

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2007 - Source: BBC News

During demonstration for the rights of homosexuals in Moscow police watched as neo-Nazis attacked protesters ("Moscow anti-gay attack condemned") [ID 20711]

"Riot police used violence to break up a gay rights demonstration in Moscow yesterday and arrested several European parliamentarians in what critics say is the latest violation of human rights in Russia.

A group of gay rights activists came under attack from neo-Nazi thugs when they tried to present a petition asking Moscow's mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, to lift a ban on a Gay Pride parade. He has previously dubbed gay rallies "satanic". Witnesses said riot police watched as far-right skinheads chanting "death to homosexuals" beat up several activists.

The police failed to arrest the skinheads but detained several of the Europeans - including the German MP Volker Beck, a member of the Green party, and the radical Italian MEP Marco Capatto. Riot police threw Mr Capatto into a police van. "Why don't you protect us?" he shouted. (...)"

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people were subjected to violent attacks while attending LGBT clubs in Moscow; police were criticized for not providing sufficient protection ("Annual Report 2007") [ID 19970]

"Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people were subjected to violent attacks while attending LGBT clubs in Moscow. The police were criticized for not providing sufficient protection.

• In Moscow, a Gay Pride march was banned in May. Mayor Yuri Luzhkov and Russian Orthodox and Muslim leaders publicly criticized the planned march and made homophobic statements, and a Moscow court upheld the ban. LGBT demonstrators instead laid flowers at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin and joined an authorized demonstration near Moscow city hall. At both sites, counter-demonstrators hurled homophobic abuse and attacked some individual protesters. The police reportedly failed to provide protection or to differentiate between peaceful and violent protesters, detaining individuals from both groups. A number of LGBT activists and journalists were injured."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Gay community continued to suffer societal stigma and discrimination; male homosexuals were often refused work due to their sexuality; violence against gay people often met with indifference by authorities ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20135]

"While homosexuality is not illegal, the gay community continued to suffer societal stigma and discrimination. Medical practitioners reportedly continued to limit or refuse their access to health services due to intolerance and prejudice. According to recent studies, male homosexuals were often refused work due to their sexuality. Openly gay men were targets for skinhead aggression, which was often met with law enforcement indifference. 

In May gay rights activists hosted a small international conference in Moscow on combating homophobia; however, the mayor of Moscow and the courts denied their applications to hold a gay pride parade. According to Human Rights Watch, on May 27, several dozen Russian lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender protestors, accompanied by Russian and foreign supporters, including members of the European and German parliaments, sought to hold two successive protest rallies, one to lay flowers on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin wall, and the second a vigil at city hall in support of the freedoms of assembly and expression. Organizers decided to hold these events after a court upheld Mayor Yuriy Luzkhov's ban on a march they planned for that day. At both events hundreds of antigay protesters, including skinheads and nationalists attacked the participants, beating and kicking many, while throwing projectiles and chanting homophobic slogans. Police intervened only belatedly,failing to protect demonstrators from violence; observers noted that police inaction aggravated the violence.

In protest of a large lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender "open party" held in Moscow on April 30, several hundred protestors gathered outside a night club, shouting threats and throwing bottles, rocks, and eggs at the attendees. The following night at least 100 protestors gathered outside another gay club, conducting themselves in a similar manner. While human rights groups protested the organized nature of what appeared to be a campaign against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, public officials were notably reluctant to condemn the violence, with one Duma deputy accusing gays of provoking Orthodox believers.

Gay rights organizations were few and often operated "under the radar." Projects working with homosexuals and educating them about HIV and sexual health continued to be scarce. In April, the Moscow city Duma urged President Putin to restrict the activities of foreign NGOs that fight HIV/AIDS, saying they encouraged pedophilia, prostitution, and drug use among teenagers. The Moscow Duma also accused the Ministry of Education of aiding NGO activities. The State Duma, however, responded at the federal level with a clear statement supporting the urgent need to prevent HIV/AIDS."

Document(s): Open document

02.06.2006 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Moscow: Violent attacks on peaceful gay pride activists; anti-gay protesters (skinheads, nationalists, Orthodox followers) kicked and beat participants of the event; police apparently did not intervene ("Investigate Attacks on Gay Pride March") [ID 15417]

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Although homosexuality is not illegal, many male homosexuals continued to suffer discrimination from all levels of society ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46144], [ID 11639]

"Although homosexuality is not illegal, many male homosexuals continued to suffer discrimination from all levels of society. Medical practitioners continued to limit or refuse their access to health services due to intolerance and prejudice. According to recent studies, male homosexuals were often refused work due to their sexuality. Openly gay men were targets for skinhead aggression, which was often met with law enforcement indifference."

Document(s): Open document

27.02.2006 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Moscow: Mayor Yuri Luzhkov's promise to ban city's first-ever gay pride parade is threat to civil liberties and civil society ("Russia: Gay Pride Parade Should Not Be Banned") [#45163], [ID 11640]

Document(s): Open document

15.04.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Moscow's city court upheld ruling denying same-sex couple the right to register their marriage; gays and lesbians still face intolerance and discrimination, especially in provinces ("Russia: Gays And Lesbians Push For Greater Rights, Especially In Provinces") [#31303], [ID 11641]

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Societal abuse and discrimination against homosexuals ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29515], [ID 11642]

"Although homosexuality is not illegal, many male homosexuals continued to be discriminated against by all levels of society. Medical practitioners continue to limit or refuse health services due to intolerance and prejudices towards this marginalized and high risk group. According to recent studies, male homosexuals were often refused work due to their sexuality and therefore further marginalized from society. Openly gay men must keep a constant watch against being targeted for skinhead aggression, which was often met with law enforcement indifference."

Document(s): Open document

06.2004 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

According to activists, treatment of homosexuals has improved; there are several homosexual groups across the country ("Basis of Claims and Background Information on Asylum-seekers and Refugees from the Russian Federation"") [#47153], [ID 17276]

"109. In August 1993, after the decriminalization of homosexuality, Russian homosexuals announced the creation of an advocacy group, Triangle, striving for equality for gay men and lesbians. The group also acts as an information centre for homosexuality and HIV/AIDS, and is involved in political activities. According to activists, treatment of homosexuals has improved since the legal provisions against male homosexuality were repealed. There are now several homosexual groups across the country, along with openly gay bars and cafes. Public opinion and the press do not condemn homosexuality. People are said to be increasingly willing to be tested for HIV because they no longer have to worry about being arrested. Some possible prisoners of conscience were believed to have been released following the amendment in April 1993 of a law punishing consensual, adult homosexual acts.170 Estimates put the number of homosexuals and bisexuals in the Russian Federation to at least half a million, or one per cent of the Russian adult male population.171"

Document(s): Open document

06.2004 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Homosexuals hide their sexual orientation and still fear social censure and discrimination in the workplace, in the army and while in detention ("Basis of Claims and Background Information on Asylum-seekers and Refugees from the Russian Federation"") [#47153], [ID 17277]

"110. Nonetheless, the majority of homosexuals hide their sexual orientation, and homosexuals still fear social censure and discrimination in the workplace. Homosexuals may also face discrimination and mistreatment in the army and while in detention. As regards the latter, violence is said to be common in Russian prisons in general. However, homosexuals are among those groups -- e.g. informers, rapists, prison rape victims, and child molesters -- who are afforded the harshest treatment, with little or no  protection provided by the prison authorities. [...]

112. As regards the labor market, protection against discrimination of job applicants and against discriminatory dismissals is contained in the RF Code of Labor Laws only in general terms, without explicitly mentioning sexual orientation (articles 16, 40-42 and 77 of the RF Code of Labor Laws). Activists claim that openly homosexual persons are discriminated against when applying for jobs or after their “coming-out”; they also state, however, that so far no attempt has been made to appeal such discrimination in court, as there are no witnesses willing to testify for fear of losing their job. They also claim that there are instances where same-sex couples were denied registration in the same premises on various formal grounds, such as “absence of kinship” or “sanitary norms”."

Document(s): Open document

04.2002 - Source: UK Home Office

UK Home Office: Sexual relationships between males officially decriminalized in 1993 ("Country Assessment - April 2002") [#7107], [ID 11643]

"In April 1993, Article 121 of the Criminal Code was amended, thus decriminalising sexual relationships between males in Russia. Male homosexuality had been a criminal offence in the Soviet Union since 1933, soon after which all the republics followed suit. This provision survived in Russia until 29 April 1993, when former President Yeltsin signed a law on amendments to the Criminal Code, including a change to the language of Article 121. This had previously contained two parts and now only contains one, referring to criminal responsibility for sexual acts between males involving the use of violence, threats or taking advantage of the helpless or dependent state of a victim, also with regard to minors, which carries a penalty of up to 7 years' imprisonment.

Article 115 of the Criminal Code provides for a jail sentence for endangering or infecting a partner with venereal diseases or the HIV virus. This article carries a maximum jail sentence of 8 years, which could result in someone who has the HIV virus dying in prison. In 1992, a Russian man was prosecuted for unwittingly infecting a male partner. He was indicted under Article 115, but was not imprisoned due to an amnesty and also because he was an invalid.

Three months after the decriminalisation of homosexuality, Russian homosexuals announced the creation of an advocacy group, Triangle, through which they sought equality for gay men and lesbians. The group also acted as an information centre for homosexuality and AIDS, and was involved in political activities. According to activists, treatment of homosexuals has improved since the law against male homosexuality was repealed. There are reportedly now hundreds of homosexual groups across the country, along with openly gay bars and cafes. People are said to be increasingly willing to be tested for AIDS because they no longer have to worry about being arrested. While homosexuals still fear discrimination in the workplace and social censure, they are also reported to have been able to obtain the protection of the authorities in cases of harassment."

Document(s): Open document

05.12.1999 - Source:

ILGA: World Legal Survey: Russia ("05/12/1999 - ILGA: World Legal Survey: Russia") [ID 11644]

"The Soviet and post-Soviet policies towards homosexuals may be divided into five key periods:
1. 1917-1933: decriminalisation of homosexuality, relative tolerance, homosexuality officially labelled a disease
2. 1934-1986: homosexuality recriminalised and severely dealt with by persecution, discrimination and silence
3. 1987-1990: beginning of open public discussions of the status of homosexuality from a scientific and humanitarian point of view by professionals and journalists
4. 1990-May 1993: gay men and lesbians themselves take up the cause, putting human rights in the forefront, resulting exacerbation of conflict and sharp politicization of the issue relied
5. June 1993: decriminalisation of homosexuality; homosexual underground begins to develop into a gay and lesbian sub culture, with its own organisations, publications, and centres; continued social discrimination and defamation of same-sex love and relationships".
(Russia in "Sociolegal Control of Homosexuality" by Igor S. Kon)"

Document(s): 05/12/1999 - ILGA: World Legal Survey: Russia

05.12.1999 - Source:

ILGA World Legal Survey: Legal provisions ("05/12/1999 - ILGA World Legal Survey: Russia") [ID 11645]

"A new criminal code came into effect on 1st January 1997. "The law makes an important symbolic tribute to the principle of gender equality in that, with the exception rape, which requires a female victim, all other criminal sexual actions, such as violence, compulsion, or coercion, can be directed against persons of either gender, the victims in all cases being referred to in the law as she or he." (Russia in "Sociolegal Control of Homosexuality" by Igor S. Kon)

"The new Code is not discriminatory any more and the only specific mention of homosexuality is made in Article 132 criminalising gay/lesbian violation (rape), providing nevertheless the same punishment as for the heterosexual rape - the same thing for all "sexual crimes", either "gay" or "straight"." (Russian Queer World web site)

[...]

"The legal age of consent for voluntary sexual relations .... was set at 14 without any of the differences for gender or for heterosexual or homosexual behaviour, which still exist in some countries. Article 134 provides that sexual intercourse, muzhelozhstvo [anal intercourse between men], or lesbianism wittingly committed by a person over 18 on a person under 16 is punished by limitation of freedom up to 3 years or deprivation of freedom up to 4 years". (Russia in "Sociolegal Control of Homosexuality" by Igor S. Kon)"

Document(s): 05/12/1999 - ILGA World Legal Survey: Russia