joining the ranks of "the terrorist movement "Columbine"" and "the extremist movement "youth criminals""
и смех, и грех, so to speak
Although the exact consequences of the impending Supreme Court decision are currently unclear, two stark outcomes are evident. First, this ruling will further marginalize the queer community, especially its most vulnerable members such as transgender individuals and queer people of color. Second, by labeling the LGBT community as extremist, Russia will be compounding its track record of human rights violations, deepening Russia’s international isolation from countries that value norms of equality and inclusivity.
The impending court decision is set to cast a long, ominous shadow over the LGBT community. This ruling will not only intensify the sense of insecurity that compels many queer people to hide their identities, but it is also likely to encourage hate crimes and forced outings. Moreover, even a queer person who is not involved in activism might be considered an extremist if, for example, they are stopped by the police and found to have a queer-themed Telegram chat with their friends.
Activist groups and charities face the grim prospect of operating in secrecy, as any association with an extremist organization could lead to imprisonment. The situation for these groups is becoming increasingly perilous. LGBT support initiatives and activists operating within Russia are being forced underground. This is compounded by shrinking financial support from international donors, leaving organizations with far fewer resources to do their vital work.
- The Kremlin Is Criminalizing LGBT Lives. The World Must Step Up | The Moscow Times
