In Moscow, men holding reindeer antlers above their heads are dancing around a stage for a traditional marriage ceremony originating from the far north of Russia. The couple, Ilona and Alexander, are sitting by a mock campfire and observing time-honoured rituals, like the ripping of cloth and a dance with animal furs. This is one of a series of weddings from different parts of Russia that are being held at an exhibition promoting patriotism and "traditional values". Russia's constitution was changed three years ago to make it clear that marriage means a union between a man and a woman. All the weddings at the exhibition feature a bride and groom, while non-traditional couples in Russia enjoy no such stage: same-sex unions are not recognized here.
In recent years, Russia's LGBT community has come under increasing pressure from the authorities. In 2013, a law was adopted prohibiting "the propaganda [amongst minors] of non-traditional sexual relations." Last year, those restrictions were extended to all age groups in Russia. References to LGBT people have been deleted from books, films, adverts, and TV shows. Earlier this month, one Russian TV channel discoloured a rainbow in a South Korean pop video to avoid being accused of violating the "gay propaganda" law. Now, Russia's justice ministry has filed a motion with the supreme court to have the "International LGBT public movement" declared an "extremist" organisation and banned, even though no such organization exists as a legal entity.
If the supreme court supports the request, the consequences will be severe. Anyone whom the state considers an LGBT activist could receive a long prison sentence for 'participating in an extremist organisation'. For the organizer of such a group, the prison term will be even longer. There is panic in Russia's LGBT community, and people are emigrating urgently.
At the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, they take a different view. They believe that the pressure on the LGBT community is presented as a means of defending the moral fabric of Russia. The authorities are creating an artificial enemy, arguing that the battle with LGBT people fits in with this anti-Western rhetoric.
Maxim Goldman, a Russian organization that has been offering support to transgender and non-binary people, feels rejected by his own country and is being forced out. Municipal deputy Sergei Troshin is staying, but he has no illusions. He believes that speaking about LGBT rights might lead to a criminal case against him.
