LGBT IS NOW ILLEGAL IN RUSSIAN FEDERATION

The Supreme Court of Russia declared the international LGBT movement to be extremist yesterday, banning its activities within the country. The Court thus granted the request of the Ministry of Justice, reports RIA-Novosti. According to the Ministry, the movement contains “signs and manifestations of an extremist orientation, including the incitement of social and religious hatred.” The decision came into force immediately. According to Interfax, yesterday’s decision “does not affect citizens’ right to privacy and will not entail any negative legal consequences.” Restrictions are related to the need to comply with the prohibition on LGBT propaganda, advertising, interest formation, attracting people to the LGBT movement. The ban is “a form of societal moral self-defense,” said Vakhtang Kipshidze, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Department for Relations Between the Church, Society, and the Media. “We know from the testimony of many Western Christians who adhere to traditional beliefs regarding marriage and family that the activities of LGBT movements are aimed at displacing the Christian idea of ​​marriage and family from both the public and legal space,” the Church rep added