ST. PETERSBURG — (02-13-22) — The conservative Russian government got slapped down by a St. Petersburg Court in their attempt to shut down the Russian LGBT Network, one of the country’s largest LGBTQ rights groups.
A court in St. Petersburg set aside a lawsuit brought by Russia’s Justice Ministry last Tuesday. The suit accused the Russian LGBT Network of promoting “LGBT views” and “engaging in activities” that go against “traditional values.”
The Russian government was seeking to have the right to “liquidate” the Sphere Foundation, the Russian LGBT Network’s parent company.
Tanya Lokshina, associate director of Human Rights Watch’s Europe and Central Asia division, said she expects the hardliners of the Russian government to ask the court to reconsider its decision.
“It’s good news for the immediate future,” said Lokshina of the court’s decision not to act on the lawsuit. “Their first step failed, but I don’t think they’re going to give up, because what happened is in sync with the ongoing, very disturbing trend of stifling independent voices in Russia.” said Lokshina.
Lokshina further added that journalists and LGBTQ activists are routinely targeted by Russian officials.
“If you’re gay, as long as you hide it, as long as you do not speak up … it’s OK, but if you speak up … it becomes a very serious problem,” said Lokshina. “The Russian government is ready to tolerate gay people as long as they’re in the closet.” said Lokshina.
The St. Petersburg-based Russian LGBT Network made a name for themselves in highly profiled anti-LGBTQ policies and actions that included Chechnya’s anti-gay purge, which started making national headlines in 2017.
Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer
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