Russia Archives

28Nov

By Sara BanksNo Comments

World

Russia Expands Its ‘Gay Propaganda’ Ban

The lower house of the Russian Parliament voted last week to expand the country’s ban on “gay propaganda’ or any promotion of LGBTQ+ people. The law which previously applied to “gay propaganda” that targeted minors, will now be expanded to cover all “gay propaganda.” Any positive mention of “non-traditional sexual relations” or relationships in the media will be considered as serious of an infraction as distributing pornography, promoting violence or inciting racial tensions. Violating the law will lead to costly fines, regular people will have to pay up to $9,600 per infraction while companies can be forced to pay up to $120,000. The previous version of the law was introduced in 2013 and prohibited “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” that targeted minors. While t...

Brittney Griner Moved to Russian Forced Labor Camp

9Nov

By Sara BanksNo Comments

Sports

Brittney Griner Moved to Russian Forced Labor Camp

Brittney Griner’s Russian legal team announced early Wednesday that she has been moved to a forced labor camp. Her exact location is reportedly unknown to her lawyers and U.S. authorities who were made aware of the transfer on Tuesday, even though it was initiated 4 days prior. This comes months after Griner was arrested for trying to enter Russia with cannabis oil. In a court appearance earlier this year, Griner said "I'd like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn't want to break the law." Griner's appeal was denied on Oct. 25. as a Russian court upheld her 9-year sentence. U.S. officials have stated that they're hopeful that Russia will be more prone to negotiating once the U.S. midterms are over as they don't want to give the Biden administration any wins. ...

Russia Fines TikTok Over “Gay Propaganda”

5Oct

By Sara BanksNo Comments

Media

Russia Fines TikTok Over “Gay Propaganda”

The Kremlin hit social media network TikTok with a $51,000 fine on Tuesday for violating Russia’s controversial “gay propaganda” law. The “gay propaganda” law went into effect in 2013 and has been called a “classic example of political homophobia” by Humans Rights Watch. They warn that the legislation “targets vulnerable sexual and gender minorities for political gain.” The law supposedly seeks to “protect” children from information that “advocates a denial of traditional family values.” Earlier this year, Russian authorities broadened the scope of the law to ensure that it covers film, television and digital content. A judge from Moscow’s Tagansky district announced the fine yesterday according to reports. TikTok stands accused of featuring content that promotes feminis...

Two Men Face Up to 20 Years in Prison for Having Sex by Window in Moscow

24Aug

By Sara BanksNo Comments

World

Two Men Face Up to 20 Years in Prison for Having Sex by Window in Moscow

Two gay men in Moscow face up to 20 years in prison after being arrested for having sex by an open window. According to a Baza telegram channel report from today, the men will have to spend 2 months in a detention center while the crime is investigated. The men are being charged with "Violent acts of a sexual nature against children under the age of 14," which has a maximum penalty of 20 years. This after two boys aged 12 and 13 allegedly saw the men having sex and told their mothers who contacted authorities. 21-year old Timur and 22-year old Daniil stand accused of having sex with each other on the windowsill of an open window in their Moscow apartment. One of the defendants has told authorities that they undressed to fix a water pipe in the bathroom. While sex bet...

Russian Tennis Star Comes Out & Criticizes Putin

19Jul

By str8darNo Comments

Sports

Russian Tennis Star Comes Out & Criticizes Putin

Russia’s highest ranking single tennis player, Daria Kasatkina revealed that she’s gay and criticized her country’s treatment of the LGBTQ+ community. The athlete opened up about her views & personal life in an interview with Russian blogger Vitya Kravchenko, Kasatkina also said that the war in Ukraine must end. In the same interview Kasatkina was asked when she believes it will be ok for same-sex couples to hold hands in public in Russia, to which she replied, “never.” “For young people facing problems in public, it is very important when athletes or other well-known personalities talk about it,” she added. Although being gay isn’t banned in Russia, the country is infamous for it’s repressive policies and human rights violations. The athlete revealed that she has a gir...

Brittney Griner Pleads Guilty to Drug Charge

7Jul

By str8darNo Comments

Sports, US

Brittney Griner Pleads Guilty to Drug Charge

American basketball star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to a drug charge today in Russia. Griner was arrested on Feb. 17, when she flew into Moscow with a cannabis cartridge, according to Russian authorities. In a Russian court appearance, Griner said "I'd like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn't want to break the law," Followed by, "I'd like to give my testimony later. I need time to prepare." The plea means that Brittney Griner now faces up to 10 years in prison but could be sentenced to more. This follows Griner’s 4th of July letter where she asked president Biden to interfere on behalf of her and other Americans who are imprisoned in Russia. Legal experts suggest that this is a good strategy as 99% of Russian court cases result in conviction....