russia
Gay dads forced to flee Russia
Two gay dads forced to flee Russia say they’re “an ordinary family” but feared their adopted children would be removed by homophobic authorities. Andrei Vaganov and Yevgeny Yerofeyev (pictured) married in Denmark in 2016. Prior to the marriage, Vaganov legally adopted the couple’s two boys. The couple have been raising the boys, now 12 and …
Rammstein members kiss on Russian stage to protest Putin
Two members of German metal band Rammstein kissed onstage in Moscow in a show of defiance at Russia’s notorious anti-LGBTIQ laws. Guitarists Paul Landers and Richard Kruspe were seen moving towards one another before kissing during a performance of “Aüslander”. The band later posted a photo of the moment to Instagram captioned “Russia, we love …
Russian LGBTIQ activist found stabbed to death
A prominent Russian LGBTIQ rights activist was found stabbed to death last weekend after receiving threats on her life. Police found the body of activist Yelena Grigoriyeva (pictured) in St. Petersburg at the weekend. Authorities found the 41-year-old with multiple stab wounds to her back and face and signs of strangulation near her home. Writing …
Oliver Stone praises Russia’s ‘sensible’ anti-gay law
Film director Oliver Stone appears to have praised Russia’s law banning “gay propaganda” in an interview with Vladimir Putin. The JFK and Snowden director interviewed Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 19. And last Friday, the Kremlin published a transcript of the conversation online. Stone told Putin that the anti-gay Russian law banning “propaganda of …
‘Gay hunt’ SAW website taken down
Authorities finally blocked the SAW ‘gay hunt’ website Wednesday. The Russian website allowed users to upload photos and personal information of gay people. Other users could then pay US$3 to access information. However, for a fee of US$23, people could pay to have information about themselves removed. For a time, the site also offered rewards …
Elton John shoots down Putin hypocrisy
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently told The Financial Times that his country has no problem with gay people. Elton John released a letter on Facebook accusing Putin of hypocrisy. Putin’s statement ignored Russia’s anti-gay propaganda law which causes immense prejudice and harm to the country’s LGBTIQ citizens. Also his regime continues to turn a blind …
Elton John blasts ‘cruel’ Russian censorship of ‘Rocketman’
Elton John has hit out at Russia’s censorship of the new biopic Rocketman’s queer content. The “epic musical fantasy” film explores Elton John’s early years, including Elton’s relationship with first manager John Reid. But Russian journalists said the local distributor had removed around five minutes of the film. As well as scenes of drug use …
Horrific new details of detention and torture of gay men in Chechnya
Police in the Russian republic of Chechnya are carrying out more detentions and torture of suspected gay people two years after its brutal “gay purge”, Human Rights Watch has said in a new report. Four men who spoke to Human Rights Watch said they had been detained for between three and 20 days, between December …
‘Silence means more murders’: Pussy Riot wants Australia to help LGBTIQ Chechens
Russian feminist punk rock group Pussy Riot have joined a demonstration outside South Australia’s parliament to call for the protection of Chechnya’s LGBTIQ community targeted in the region’s violent “gay purge”. Pussy Riot member Masha Alyokhina told a group of about a hundred gathered at the rally on Wednesday, organised by Amnesty International Australia, that …
Reports Of Sexual Violence Against Women In Chechnya’s ‘Gay Purge’
Warning: distressing content Authorities in Chechnya are reportedly sexually assaulting women from the LGBTIQ community, according to activists who are working to evacuate those targeted to safety. The Russian LGBT Network said last week a “new wave” of arrests and violence against gay Chechens had begun in December last year, with at least two dead …