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Country Overview

Russia

At a glance

Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?

Yes

Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?

Yes

Legal Gender Recognition Possible?

Yes

LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?

No

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LGBTIQ people in Russia face numerous obstacles, ranging from pervasively negative societal attitudes to restrictive legislation. In 2013, the notorious federal-level law prohibiting the “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations to minors” was passed. The law bans any communication about the existence of LGBTIQ people or LGBTIQ issues to children, whether in the media or online. In effect, it has been used to ban any manifestations by LGBTIQ organizations, shut down LGBTIQ websites, and even target authors of posts on social media. Same-sex couples are prohibited by law from adopting children, and the adoption of Russian orphans is banned in countries that allow same-sex marriage. These laws have sent a strong and unambiguous signal – that LGBTIQ people are a threat to children. In 2012, the so-called “foreign agents law” was passed, imposing severe restrictions on any civil society organization receiving foreign funding, disproportionately affecting LGBTIQ organizations. LGBTIQ people are seen as contradicting traditional Russian values. Societal attitudes are pervasively negative and filled with misinformation, further perpetuated by rhetoric from the state and a staunchly traditional and prominent Orthodox Church. LGBTIQ people face widespread violence from private individuals, state actors, and vigilante groups.

 

Global Impact

Sub-Saharan Africa

Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people.

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United Nations

Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.

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Asia

Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.

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Middle East and North Africa

In the Middle East and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work. We also work with our local partners on different topics through capacity building, advocacy, research and holistic security.



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Europe and Central Asia

Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.

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Americas

Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years. We partner with groups in the Caribbean that focus on ending gender-based violence and eradicating discrimination against trans people.

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Pacific

Our work in the Pacific aims to increase the visibility of activists, respond to human rights emergencies, and actively bridge local, regional, and international activism to achieve equality and justice.

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Human Rights Research

Since 1990, we have partnered with activists from all over the world to produce hundreds of groundbreaking reports.

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