Russia Considers Creating LGBTQ+ Registry Amid Nationwide Intensifying Crackdowns

After Russia’s Supreme Court labeled the non-existent ‘International LGBT Social Movement’ an “extremist organization” in 2023, the Ministry of Internal Affairs intensified its crackdown on LGBTQ+ individuals.

According to a January 27 investigation by Meduza, authorities are now considering the creation of a registry to monitor members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Meduza’s correspondent, Liliya Yapparova, discovered that authorities are discussing the possibility of creating a unified electronic registry to monitor the LGBTQ+ community.

“Such a database would open the door to extensive opportunities for harassment and coercion against queer individuals,” the news agency wrote.

According to the publication, since November 2023, when Russia labeled the LGBTQ+ community as an “extremist movement” and banned its “activities,” dozens of raids have taken place across 18 regions.

Raids have taken place in gay clubs and parties, with local authorities placing homosexual individuals under surveillance while setting up provocateurs who attempt to identify those concealing their identities. The widespread crackdown is accompanied by the collection of personal data on LGBTQ+ individuals.

Russian Federal officials and state media have begun portraying the queer community as a network of “paramilitary groups” allegedly calling for a “gender war” against Russia, engaging in “dehumanization,” and promoting “devil worship.” Law enforcement agencies frame these raids as actions to “suppress” anti-state activities.

On January 6, Russian courts issued 188 fines amounting to nearly 30 million rubles (approximately $280,000) under administrative charges related to the “promotion of nontraditional relationships, gender transition, and pedophilia.”