Russia’s government is reportedly building a sweeping electronic database to track LGBTQ+ citizens, a claim made by an independent Russian news outlet. According to Meduza, a Latvia-based independent news organization that reports in Russian, sources from Russia’s Interior Ministry say the government has been planning the system for some time.
The report claims that the database is being designed to register and monitor LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those associated with the “international LGBT movement,” which was officially labeled as “extremist” by Russian authorities in 2023. Sources told Meduza that the planned database would be a “large-scale” system aimed at collecting and storing personal data on members of the LGBTQ+ community.
This development follows a recent surge in the enforcement of Russia’s anti-propaganda laws targeting LGBTQ+ people. In the past few months, the government has escalated its crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights, resulting in various incidents where individuals and groups have faced legal repercussions. Notably, bar staff and venue owners have been jailed, and over 50 club-goers were detained during one event. The government has also forced platforms like Duolingo to remove inclusive content, and even children’s media like My Little Pony has been reclassified as 18+ due to its perceived promotion of LGBTQ+ themes.
In one high-profile case, a man was fined for making a joke about “starting” the international LGBTQ+ rights movement in January. In December, another man accused of operating an LGBTQ+ travel agency was found dead in his jail cell under suspicious circumstances.
Meduza’s sources also indicated that police records have been maintained since the Russian Supreme Court ruled in favor of treating LGBTQ+ advocacy as extremist. Dmitry Chukreev, a member of the ruling United Russia party, confirmed that police records are being kept on members of the LGBTQ+ community. “Everyone is being recorded and put on record,” he said.
In addition to the LGBTQ+ database, Russian officials are reportedly considering the creation of a public registry for sex workers, which would allow individuals to “check” others, such as friends or potential partners. The registry would also include administrative violations, such as fines for “gay propaganda,” which has been criminalized under recent laws.
While the database plans are said to be moving forward, there are reports that the Russian government may lack the necessary resources, such as funds and personnel, to fully implement and maintain the system due to the financial strain caused by the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Meduza’s report also cited statements from Russian officials who view the LGBTQ+ community in a highly negative light. According to the sources, officials have referred to the LGBTQ+ movement as a “network of paramilitary groups” and accused them of promoting an “open gender war.” In this narrative, LGBTQ+ activists are described as engaging in “dehumanization” and even “devil worship.”
Venues catering to the LGBTQ+ community have reportedly faced increased scrutiny from Russian security forces. One queer venue told Meduza that security personnel had copied the entire database from their computer system, which was used to track reservations. Other venues have reported that police have taken mouth swabs and fingerprints from event attendees and demanded that they state their registered address on camera.
The creation of such a database, if true, marks a significant escalation in the Russian government’s efforts to suppress LGBTQ+ rights and monitor individuals in the community. It also comes amid broader concerns about increasing state surveillance and the erosion of civil liberties in Russia.
The situation highlights the continuing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people in Russia, where discrimination and persecution are common due to the government’s strict stance on LGBTQ+ issues. Many activists and international human rights groups have condemned Russia’s actions, calling them a violation of fundamental human rights.
As the situation unfolds, it remains unclear how the government plans to execute and enforce the proposed LGBTQ+ database. However, the implications for privacy, freedom of expression, and the safety of LGBTQ+ individuals in Russia are deeply concerning.
International watchdogs and advocates continue to monitor the situation closely, urging Russia to respect the rights and dignity of its LGBTQ+ citizens. The global community has expressed growing alarm at the increasing repression of LGBTQ+ rights in Russia, with many calling for further sanctions and diplomatic pressure on the Kremlin to halt its discriminatory practices.
The report from Meduza adds to the mounting evidence of systemic discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in Russia, underscoring the urgency of continued international efforts to address these human rights violations.
