Russian security forces have raided gay clubs and bars across Moscow less than 48 hours after the country’s top court banned what it called the “global LGBTQ+ movement” as an extremist organization.
in russia it has historically been very similar to the rest of europe. heavy suppression of homosexual activity (criminalization of sodomy, especially in the army) in the imperial era but with a queer underground that existed in traditionally masculine spaces and brothels. the tsarist code of law was abolished after the revolution, and with it the anti-sodomy law, but unfortunately the medical/psychiatric structure of the RSFSR and the USSR as a whole was plagued by conservative views that pathologized queerness. this queerphobia in the psychiatric system lead to it being abused for finding extralegal means to repress homosexual behaviors in the 20s. this kind of changed with the first five year plan and trans people were given a little more legal leeway but in kind of a strange spot. trans people were often allowed to exist and transition legally, and in one case a trans woman was permitted by a local people's court in kazan to obtain a female name and documents stating she was a female. though it was seen more with the lens of "there's something psychologically wrong with these people, but letting them change their gender will treat some of that psychological pain". if you're interested in more about this, homosexual desire in revolutionary russia has a lot of historical information thats been translated from original documents, just be wary of the looming liberal ideology that the author sprinkles in there. just stick to the historical information in there and make your own conclusions.
in russia it has historically been very similar to the rest of europe. heavy suppression of homosexual activity (criminalization of sodomy, especially in the army) in the imperial era but with a queer underground that existed in traditionally masculine spaces and brothels. the tsarist code of law was abolished after the revolution, and with it the anti-sodomy law, but unfortunately the medical/psychiatric structure of the RSFSR and the USSR as a whole was plagued by conservative views that pathologized queerness. this queerphobia in the psychiatric system lead to it being abused for finding extralegal means to repress homosexual behaviors in the 20s. this kind of changed with the first five year plan and trans people were given a little more legal leeway but in kind of a strange spot. trans people were often allowed to exist and transition legally, and in one case a trans woman was permitted by a local people's court in kazan to obtain a female name and documents stating she was a female. though it was seen more with the lens of "there's something psychologically wrong with these people, but letting them change their gender will treat some of that psychological pain". if you're interested in more about this, homosexual desire in revolutionary russia has a lot of historical information thats been translated from original documents, just be wary of the looming liberal ideology that the author sprinkles in there. just stick to the historical information in there and make your own conclusions.
Thank you for this book recommendation