In 2013, Russia adopted the law on “propaganda of homosexualism among minors” which also covers
“propaganda of transgenderism”. The law uses the term “propaganda” which is vague enough to create
space for individual interpretation of what actions fall under LGBT “propaganda”, thus leaving it up to
individual courts taking up particular cases. Under the framework of the law, any work related to informing
minors about the issues of sexual orientation and gender identity might be considered propaganda. As
a result, this law limits the access of teenagers to reliable information about issues related to gender
identity and limits how LGBTQI human rights NGOs and individual transgender activists can tackle the
violence and discrimination faced by transgender teenagers. It also increases the stigma of LGBTQI
communities and informally encourages discrimination and violence against them. For example,
homophobic and transphobic groups such as “Occupy Paedophilia”13 have been actively framing their
violent attack against LGBT community as acts of fighting paedophilia and saving children.
In Russia there is no quick, transparent, and accessible procedure of legal gender recognition. Because
of that, the process of changing legal documents can take several years, forcing transgender individuals
to use old legal documents even when they do not match their gender expression. Having a legal
document where the gender marker does not correspond with gender expression makes transgender
13 Occupy Paedophilia, a loosely organised network of homophobic vigilantes that calls itself a “social movement”, claims to be protecting
children from all forms of paedophilia and has associated branches and imitators in dozens of cities and towns across Russia.
Siberia, RUSSIA
FOR THE RECORD 2016 | 43
LAVERNA group photo on the Transgender Day of Remembrance
In Russia, transgender individuals face
daily discrimination and structural violence
from government institutions and society.
The stigma around being transgender is
spread and supported through the violent
institutional practises, legislation, as well
as through social beliefs and daily cases of
violence, discrimination, and hate speech.
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