Following the ruling by Russia's highest court designated the LGBTQ movement as "extremist," Russian security forces have run raids on gay clubs and bars across Moscow.
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Late on Friday, police officers searched several venues, such as a nightclub, a male sauna, and a LGBTQ party bar, allegedly under the pretense of a drug raid. Local media reported that clubgoers' identification documents were checked and photographed by security services. Witnesses also claimed that the managers were able to alert patrons ahead of the police's arrival.
This series of raids occurred within 48 hours of the Supreme Court's decision, which activists argue provides authorities with a broad definition, potentially allowing them to target any person or groups associated with the LGBTQ movement.
The ruling could potentially result in a complete ban on any organized activities in support of LGBTQ rights. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been cracking down on LGBTQ rights for the past decade, emphasizing traditional family values.
The recent court ruling is the most extreme measure taken thus far, with its wide-ranging and unknown implications. This ruling is in line with other steps taken by Russian authorities, especially following the country's invasion of Ukraine last year.
The Kremlin has been said about resisting Western influence it deems degrading, and in June, politicians banned medical and administrative procedures for gender reassignment, as well as changing gender on official documents and public records.
Additionally, last November, a bill prohibiting any form of LGBTQ "propaganda" was passed, which has had significant consequences for book publishing and film distribution, among other areas.
Russian rights groups had submitted a document to the Supreme Court, prior to the latest ruling on Thursday, denouncing the Justice Ministry lawsuit as discriminatory and violating the constitution.
Several LGBTQ activists were refused the opportunity to participate formally in the case. The Supreme Court held the hearing behind closed doors, without any defense present, and only allowed reporters to witness the decision.
Russian authorities have denied allegations of discrimination against LGBTQ individuals.
Deputy Justice Minister Andrei Loginov was quoted in local media earlier this month, asserting that "the rights of the LGBT people in Russia are protected" under the law.
During a presentation on human rights in Russia to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, he further said that, limiting public displays of nontraditional sexual relationships or preferences is not a form of censorship against them.
