In recent years, Moscow has intensified its persecution of LGBTQ individuals, as exemplified by the experiences of Mikhail, a gay man from Ufa. Initially, he enjoyed a vibrant life filled with drag performances and community. However, escalating government restrictions—including raids on venues and prohibitions on LGBTQ topics—marked a dramatic shift, culminating in Mikhail's forced departure from Russia. According to advocacy group Sphere, the government's actions reflect a broader trend of repression against minority communities, particularly following legal amendments enacted in 2022 and 2023.
Mikhail described the significant changes he's experienced in his life and career due to increasing government oppression against LGBTQ individuals, stating that 'concerns arose in the club industry' and things began to shift dramatically as restrictions intensified.
The monitoring programme coordinator from Sphere noted that the shift from everyday discrimination to more direct repression of LGBTQ individuals escalated after the 2022 amendments to the anti-gay propaganda laws, illustrating a troubling trend.
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