https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/police-raid-moscow-gay-bars-after-a-supreme-court-ruling-labeled-lgbtq-movement-extremist/ar-AA1kSCcD?OCID=ansmsnnews11

Police raid Moscow gay bars after a Supreme Court ruling labeled
LGBTQ+ movement 'extremist'

Russian security forces raided gay clubs and bars across Moscow Friday
night, less than 48 hours after the country’s top court banned what it
called the “global LGBTQ+ movement” as an extremist organization.

Police searched venues across the Russian capital, including a
nightclub, a male sauna, and a bar that hosted LGBTQ+ parties, under
the pretext of a drug raid, local media reported.
Eyewitnesses told journalists that clubgoers’ documents were checked
and photographed by the security services. They also said that
managers had been able to warn patrons before police arrived.

The raids follow a decision by Russia’s Supreme Court to label the country’s LGBTQ+ “movement” as an extremist organization.

The ruling, which was made in response to a lawsuit filed by the
Justice Ministry, is the latest step in a decadelong crackdown on
LGBTQ+ rights under President Vladimir Putin, who has emphasized
“traditional family values” during his 24 years in power.

Activists have noted the lawsuit was lodged against a movement that is
not an official entity, and that under its broad and vague definition authorities could crack down on any individuals or groups deemed to be
part of it.

Several LGBTQ+ venues have already closed following the decision,
including St. Petersburg's gay club Central Station. It wrote on
social media Friday that the owner would no longer allow the bar to
operate with the law in effect.
Max Olenichev, a human rights lawyer who works with the Russian LGBTQ+ community, told The Associated Press before the ruling that it
effectively bans organized activity to defend the rights of LGBTQ+
people.
“In practice, it could happen that the Russian authorities, with this
court ruling in hand, will enforce (the ruling) against LGBTQ+
initiatives that work in Russia, considering them a part of this civic movement,” Olenichev said.

Before the ruling, leading Russian human rights groups had filed a
document with the Supreme Court that called the Justice Ministry
lawsuit discriminatory and a violation of Russia’s constitution. Some
LGBTQ+ activists tried to become a party in the case but were rebuffed
by the court.

In 2013, the Kremlin adopted the first legislation restricting LGBTQ+
rights, known as the “gay propaganda” law, banning any public
endorsement of “nontraditional sexual relations” among minors. In
2020, constitutional reforms pushed through by Putin to extend his
rule by two more terms also included a provision to outlaw same-sex
marriage.

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