Nina KalininaNov 30, 2023

It is official now: Russia's Supreme Court declared "extremist" and banned the "LGBT movement".

A single display of LGBT flag, offline or online, is punishable by a fine.
In case of multiple offenses, the punishment is up to 4 years in prison.
Activism, online or offline, and potentially donations to LGBT charities, are punished by up to 6 years in prison.
Allies of LGBT activism are now legally banned from elections.

And there is a new law coming up, "justification" of "extremism" online (as in, not denouncing), punishing it by a prison sentence of up to five years.

Show threadNina Kalinina

So, let's get united in grief, and channel our rage into positive action, or something?

The news are still sinking in, but I am genuinely scared for everyone, gay and allies, who live in Russia.

Not many of them will be able to get an asylum. Asylum system sounds good in theory, but in practice it requires you to prove that you are being persecuted. And when you are, the country's borders are closed for you.

And, you know, it is stupid, but I understand that some, many even, still love their home and don't want to move. Even when the government makes it illegal to be yourself in your own home.

Nov 30, 2023 at 1:33pmWeb
Show threadGorgeous na Shock!Nov 30, 2023

@nina_kali_nina I don't think it's stupid to not want to leave your home or where you grew up and are otherwise comfortable because of some regressive reactionary old fogies!

I know folks on here who have left the US because we're heading in that direction (we love to copy Russia but only the bad stuff and none of the cool stuff) and they were privileged to be able to but it was still a *huge* burden!

I have nothing but sympathy and wish there was a way to help. 😔