Anastasia Golubeva, a BBC Russian journalist, reveals the chilling intensification of anti-LGBTQ+ crackdowns in Russia, sharing harrowing personal accounts from activists facing police raids on gay clubs. Dorcas Wangira, BBC Africa's health correspondent, reflects on the pandemic's far-reaching effects in Africa, exploring economic struggles and psychological scars that persist post-COVID-19. Both guests provide insightful commentary on the resilience and challenges of marginalized communities amidst evolving societal landscapes.
The Russian government's crackdown on LGBTQ+ communities has intensified since 2023, leading to increased vulnerability and repression for queer individuals.
Activists suggest that the state's narrative promoting 'traditional values' is fueling anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments, reinforcing cultural erasure of queer identities.
Deep dives
Crackdown on LGBTQ+ Communities in Russia
The Russian government's recent crackdown on LGBTQ+ communities has intensified significantly since 2023, coinciding with the country's Supreme Court banning what it terms the 'global LGBT movement.' This ban follows previously enacted laws that restrict positive representations of queer relationships and prohibit transgender individuals from legally changing their documents. As a result, members of the LGBTQ+ community are now more vulnerable than ever, facing potential fines or imprisonment simply for expressing their identities, such as holding hands in public or attending queer spaces. Activists note that this institutional hostility serves as a scapegoating mechanism for a regime using traditional values to garner popular support during a time of geopolitical turmoil.
Impact of War and Traditionalism on Queer Culture
The invasion of Ukraine has been linked to a troubling reinforcement of traditionalism within Russian society, which has further marginalized the LGBTQ+ community. With the government promoting the narrative of defending 'traditional values,' anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments have been exacerbated, presenting queer individuals as unpatriotic and harmful to social morals. The narrative implies that LGBTQ+ identities are foreign and unhealthy, contributing to a culture that not only stigmatizes these individuals but also positions them as enemies of the state. This growing enmity is reflected in increasing arrests and police raids targeting gay clubs, highlighting the precarious state of queer cultural expression in Russia.
Adaptation of LGBTQ+ Spaces Under Pressure
In light of escalating repression, queer clubs in Russia have been forced to disguise themselves as regular venues to survive government scrutiny, removing identifiable symbols of LGBTQ+ culture. Performers are now limited to presenting as men and avoiding any overt expressions of their identities, reflecting a deeper trend of cultural erasure. Some venues have resorted to aligning their performances with patriotic themes to avoid attention, showcasing a sad adaptation to a repressive environment. While the vibrant LGBTQ+ scene that once thrived appears to be waning, it is predicted that underground networks may soon emerge, allowing for the preservation of this culture despite ongoing risks.
There have been at least 12 police raids on gay clubs in Russia since November 2023, when the country’s Supreme court banned what they call 'the global LGBT movement'. BBC Russian Anastasia Golubeva has been talking to activists on the ground to find out how these restrictions are affecting them.
Five years ago, COVID-19 was spreading around the world, causing millions of deaths. How did the pandemic change our lives, and what lessons have we learnt from it? With Martin Yip from BBC Chinese and Dorcas Wangira, BBC Africa’s Health Correspondent.
Presented by Faranak Amidi. Produced by Alice Gioia, Hannah Dean and Caroline Ferguson.
