russia
Federal government response to Chechnya’s ‘gay purge’ could take months
The Australian Government has said following Australian allies’ lead in holding two men responsible for Chechnya’s “gay purge” could take several months. Over several years, the Russian republic has conducted the so-called “gay purge”, abducting, torturing, and even killing queer people in the region. Last month, the Victorian Pride Lobby launched a Change.org petition calling …
Petition calls for Australian government action on Chechnya’s ‘gay purge’
The Victorian Pride Lobby is petitioning Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne to crack down on two leaders behind Chechnya’s “gay purge”. Since 2017, authorities in the Russian republic have targeted, detained and tortured numerous LGBTQ people. Human rights groups and media have dubbed the horrific violence Chechnya’s “gay purge”. The Victorian Pride Lobby has …
Two gay men who ‘fled torture in Chechnya returned by Russian police’
Two gay men are in danger after police in Russia arrested them and returned them to Chechnya after they fled to escape torture, an LGBTIQ NGO warns. The Russian LGBT Network, based in St Petersburg, has helped hundreds of persecuted queer people in Chechnya flee to safety. The Network said in a statement that Russian …
‘Welcome to Chechnya’ documentary exposes horrors of ‘gay purge’
A new documentary screening in Australia exposes the horrors of Chechnya’s violent “gay purge” and the brave efforts of activists to rescue persecuted LGBTIQ Chechens. Since 2016, Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of the Russian republic of Chechnya, has vowed to “cleanse the blood” of Chechnya. To do this, he sanctioned a brutal campaign to detain, …
Madonna says Russia fined her $1 million for this gay rights speech
Madonna has said the Russian government fined her $1 million for speaking out about LGBTIQ rights on stage in St. Petersburg. During her 2012 MDNA tour, Madonna offered pink wristbands to the crowd to show solidarity with the queer community. During the concert, she delivered a passionate speech about LGBTIQ equality. “I feel people are …
Ad supporting Putin turns out a great big homophobic fail
An ad in support of constitutional amendments that will enable Vladimir Putin to remain Russian president until 2036 proved a great big homophobic fail this week. The ad, paid for by allies of the Russian despot, portrays a supposed consequence of not supporting the amendments. In a scene meant to strike terror into the hearts …
WATCH: ‘Gay purge’ horrors revealed in doco ‘Welcome to Chechnya’
A new HBO documentary exposes the horrors of Chechnya’s violent “gay purge” and the brave efforts of activists to rescue persecuted LGBTIQ Chechens. In recent years, authorities have captured, detained and tortured numerous LGBTIQ Chechens for their sexual orientation in the Russian republic. A number have reportedly died. Acclaimed filmmaker David France’s new doco Welcome …
Europe’s 10 best and 10 worst countries for LGBTIQ people revealed
Advocacy group ILGA-Europe has ranked the most and least LGBTIQ-friendly countries in Europe in its annual Rainbow Europe Country Ranking. The yearly list, backed by the European Union, ranks 49 European countries from most to least LGBTQ-friendly. Each country’s ranking is based on how the laws and policies of each country affect the lives of …
Australia needs stronger laws to sanction human rights abusers abroad
Australia needs stronger laws allowing targeted sanctions against nations abusing the human rights of LGBTIQ people and others, a Senate inquiry has been told. The Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (VGLRL) made the call in a submission to the inquiry by the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. Foreign Minister Marise …
Bi woman who fled Chechnya torture wants parents charged
A 22-year-old bisexual woman who was beaten and tortured in Chechnya over her sexuality wants Russian authorities to initiate criminal proceedings against her parents. Aminat Lorsanova filed a complaint with the Federal Investigative Committee of Russia against her parents and a Chechen psychiatric clinic, according to the Russian LGBT Network. Lorsanova was held against her …