Berlin — May 28, 2026 — Russian authorities have escalated their campaign against LGBT rights by banning nine organizations that provide support, advocacy, and information to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Courts across seven regions declared groups such as Coming Out, LGBT Resource Centre, Parni Plus, Moscow Community Center for LGBT+ Initiatives, Irida, Russian LGBT Network, Kallisto, T9 NSK, and Centre T as “extremist,” effectively criminalizing their work.
The bans follow the 2023 Supreme Court ruling that labeled the “International LGBT Movement” as extremist, a designation widely condemned as a mischaracterization of a global human rights cause. Since then, authorities have expanded the definition of extremism to silence dissent and restrict independent activism.
Organizations have vowed to continue their work despite the rulings. Parni Plus, an LGBT media outlet, said authorities were attempting to erase the visibility of queer voices, while the Moscow Community Center for LGBT+ Initiatives stressed that support for queer people remains essential. Centre T and Coming Out described the bans as repressive and pledged to resist efforts to make LGBT people “unseen and unheard.”
Under Russia’s criminal code, participation in banned organizations can lead to prison sentences of up to six years, while leading such groups carries penalties of up to twelve years. Even donations or displays of symbols such as the rainbow flag can result in prosecution.
Human Rights Watch noted that at least nine individuals have already been convicted under these laws, with dozens more facing charges. International experts, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, have condemned the rulings, warning that they enable arbitrary enforcement and violate protections under international law.
“The Russian government’s banning of LGBT rights organizations is absurd, harmful, and discriminatory,” said Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. He urged rights‑respecting governments to support Russian LGBT activists, including enabling them to continue their work from abroad.
This latest crackdown underscores the growing risks faced by civil society in Russia, where activism, solidarity, and even basic support for vulnerable communities are increasingly treated as criminal acts.
