Homosexuality In Russia Essay
1126 Words
5 Pages
Historically, the rights of LGBT people in Russia have been very rocky. Following the October revolution in 1917, homosexuality in Russia was legalized. This law was not enforced, however, and abuse of homosexuals continued. Unfortunately, in the year 1930, article 121.1 of the Russian criminal code stated that sex between two men was a crime. Each year, 500 to 1,000 men would be imprisoned for “muzhelozhstvo”, or “men lying with other men”. The duration of a sentence for this “crime” was five years in prison. During the time of the Soviet Union, Homosexuals were considered diseased people to be cured of their mental illness by science. Additionally, homosexuality in Russia in the 90’s also was seen as anti-Russian as the idea seemed to contradict
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Russian secret police blackmailed gay men into giving information about others. In addition to the police, there were gangs of “gay bashers” who, with the support of the police, would rove around beating up any homosexuals they could find.To combat this, the LGBT population of Russia went entirely underground. Hidden bars and other locations for safe meetups became the norm, as the homosexual population of Russia became content with with hiding their homosexuality in an attempt to remain free from persecution. However, over the last 20 years, Russia has become slightly more tolerant towards gay people, and movements have begun to increase tolerance in …show more content…
During the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi Russia, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender team members were the first to ever be allowed into the Black Sea Resort. “It 's not accepted here in the Caucasus where we live.” Says mayor Antoly Pakhomov “We do not have them in our city.(Fiona, 2)” However, the Russian government was willing to make an exception for the olympic athletes, as long as they, in the words of President Vladimar Putin, “Leave our children alone”(Fiona, 3)” This phrase from the President of Russia angered many people. “Absolutely he [Putin] knew what he was saying", says Shawn Gaylord, advocacy counsel for Human Rights First. "We see this all the time--getting lumped in together with pedophiles. It 's very insulting and designed to drive home fear.(Fiona, 4)” President Putin 's thinly concealed insult towards the LGBT members of the olympic teams was an obvious attempt to rile up the Russian people in a homophobic
Russian secret police blackmailed gay men into giving information about others. In addition to the police, there were gangs of “gay bashers” who, with the support of the police, would rove around beating up any homosexuals they could find.To combat this, the LGBT population of Russia went entirely underground. Hidden bars and other locations for safe meetups became the norm, as the homosexual population of Russia became content with with hiding their homosexuality in an attempt to remain free from persecution. However, over the last 20 years, Russia has become slightly more tolerant towards gay people, and movements have begun to increase tolerance in …show more content…
During the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi Russia, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender team members were the first to ever be allowed into the Black Sea Resort. “It 's not accepted here in the Caucasus where we live.” Says mayor Antoly Pakhomov “We do not have them in our city.(Fiona, 2)” However, the Russian government was willing to make an exception for the olympic athletes, as long as they, in the words of President Vladimar Putin, “Leave our children alone”(Fiona, 3)” This phrase from the President of Russia angered many people. “Absolutely he [Putin] knew what he was saying", says Shawn Gaylord, advocacy counsel for Human Rights First. "We see this all the time--getting lumped in together with pedophiles. It 's very insulting and designed to drive home fear.(Fiona, 4)” President Putin 's thinly concealed insult towards the LGBT members of the olympic teams was an obvious attempt to rile up the Russian people in a homophobic