LGBT Rights In Russia

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 …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 …show more content…
Russia has long been known as an chaotic place to drive. In a recent measure aimed at cutting down the amount of accidents in the country, Russia has banned transgender people from driving. According to The Guardian, “The regulations, which affect people deemed to have “sexual disorders”, also affect fetishists, voyeurs, exhibitionists and transvestites.(The Guardian, Web)” This law is clearly written solely to oppress the transgender people as there is no reasoning at all for anyone to believe that transexual people are worse drivers than anyone else. The world is unanimously furious with Russia for passing this law, and human rights advocates across the world are calling out Russia for this act. “Banning people from driving based on their gender identity or expression is ridiculous and just another example of the Russian regime 's methodical rollback of basic human rights for its citizens," said Human Rights First 's Shawn Gaylord. "Beyond the denial of basic freedoms, this provision may deter transgender people from seeking mental health services for fear of receiving a diagnosis that would strip them of their right to drive, and leaves the door open for increased harassment, persecution, and discrimination of transgender people by Russian authorities. (Chatham, Web)” Russia 's relationship with human rights organizations, which