Talk:Russian LGBT Network

How to organize the activity section a little.
In the activities section of the article it's a little messy and bit hard to read. In my opinion it would be easier on the readers if the dates where organized like with bullet points or different fonts to let the key words stand out. Or even in the categorizes section where someone can click on the date and it would take them straight to the information   they are looking for.--Natd14 (talk) 16:39, 10 October 2019 (UTC)


 * Hi, I think that's a splendid idea that dates should be at least highlighted somehow if the activities are splitted in little 'stories', how it is done in the article, because there are moments which don't look nice (for example, the second paragraph of Activities starts with mentioning of February 2009, proceeds to July 2009 and then the third paragraph suddenly starts with the May 2009), it can be confusing. But i don't think that the separate sections with dates are needed at the moment, since there is very little info there. — Preceding unsigned comment added by AndreiViktorovich.SPbPU (talk • contribs) 16:34, 11 October 2019 (UTC)

Feedback on article
Listening to some of the editors say that they don't know much about Wikipedia is surprising because I think the article is great! I think it is well organized but it could us more sections and information but I strongly believe that with time and further research the article would look like a professional did it. Keep up the good work guys!--Rabbitlover12 (talk) 17:37, 10 October 2019 (UTC)


 * Hello! Thank you very much! But unfortunately, the article itself was written by other people. We edit it. Therefore, any suggestions you may have will be considered to improve the content! — Preceding unsigned comment added by Liza.SPbSTU (talk • contribs) 16:31, 11 October 2019 (UTC)

Suggestions
Igor Kochetkov is mentioned twice in the article, I notice that he is the chair man, I think there should be more information about Igor Kochetkov. I think the picture of Igor Kochetkov should be posted directly on the page along with other pictures of the LGBT community.--Lindalark (talk) 17:48, 10 October 2019 (UTC)


 * I propose to add information about activities in international organizations. Because the LGBT organization provides information for yhe reports of the UN, OSCE and the Council of Europe, as well as take an active part in the meetings of these organization. It is better to add to the English and Russian version of the article. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Liza.SPbSTU (talk • contribs) 16:00, 11 October 2019 (UTC)

suggestion for goals
I think Goals section should be more expended with activities and more vital details.I think articles need more citation so that reader can find more information about LGBT and its activities.--Simon Chowdhury007 (talk) 17:52, 10 October 2019 (UTC)


 * I guess more information about the activities and details should be in the "activities" section, what we can expend with the addition of more relevant information. — Preceding unsigned comment added by OlyaAlex.SPbPU (talk • contribs) 16:24, 11 October 2019 (UTC)

Feedback about this article
I believe you should add links about Iva Nova, S'nega and Dita Karelina. This article is interesting. You should add more images of the structures. I would be interested to know more about Iva Nova, S'nega and Dita Karelina. — Preceding unsigned comment added by AbhayVader (talk • contribs) 17:54, 10 October 2019 (UTC)


 * There actually is an article for Iva Nova (Ива Нова) on Russian wiki. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Alex18moroz.SPbPU (talk • contribs) 16:03, 11 October 2019 (UTC)
 * Maybe someone could link the two articles if they are not yet? --DrX (talk) 13:59, 14 October 2019 (UTC)

Russian LGBT Network Article Feedback
Hey all !

I think for the Russian LGBT Network article each paragraph should be separated so its easier for readers to read, also it should include more citations so people can reference other articles to learn about the LGBT Network, also it would be great to add more photos!

--Rayvxp (talk) 17:56, 10 October 2019 (UTC)


 * Hey, i didn't catch what you meant in the first part since the paragraphs are separated already, could you please explain if I misunderstood you there. However, I don't really think that all the paragraphs should be separated, but i think that they should be reorganized: for example, there are lots of facts about the events of 2009-2019, I think that they should be replaced to a new section called something like "events" or "actions". And I think we should have goals and activities combined, so a person who just opened the article is able to see what objectives the organization has and how they are being achieved. Also I completely agree with you about the lack of citations and pictures, thanks! — Preceding unsigned comment added by AndreiViktorovich.SPbPU (talk • contribs) 15:53, 11 October 2019 (UTC)

more details
This article is really interesting but I think it need some more details. Also can someone can write about how is the LGBT in Russian, if the people accept this or there is exist some rights for them and if there are some activities for them like here in New York June is pride month so LGBT can celebrate their month and the people do a colorful and pretty parade for them and everybody assist to there to support them.--EcuaDen (talk) 17:57, 10 October 2019 (UTC)


 * The article is informative, however it is missing a part about critisism of LGBT in Russia, and in general there is no information about how people and government are taking this network. It would be good to update English and Russian version of arcticle with last events related to the law against "gay propagabda"(2013), and ban of two major LGBT networking sites (3.10.2019).

Images
comparing to other country's LGBT articles i see lots of pictures and actual people been proud, i would to know why this article does not have this kind of images .--RodriguezLuis7631 (talk) 17:58, 10 October 2019 (UTC)


 * Hey! Yes, in Russia there is not a lot of pictures, what can show people who are proud, because in our country LGBT is not welcomed and something is restricted by law. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Valery.SPbPU (talk • contribs) 16:20, 11 October 2019 (UTC)


 * Hi, Luis. There are LGBT-people in Russia, but there are also some difficulties with so-called Pride parades. In order to organize a parade, meeting or gather a lot of people for some reason, you have to get the agreement and permission from the officials, but you won't get it, because Pride parade will be classified as the gay-propaganda, which is illegal. The same way, as the meeting and any parade without official permission is illegal and punished by fines generally. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Alex18moroz.SPbPU (talk • contribs) 16:27, 11 October 2019 (UTC)

Suggestions for article contents
The both articles lack a ton of information about the period between 2009 and present days. However, a lot of really significant stuff for Russian LGBT have happened. For example, the anti gay-propaganda law and law against foreign agents and financing. We can add some information on how this laws influenced the work of this organisation.

Also, I would edit some information about Chechnya at the bottom of the article. Not everything in the story about that girl from Chechya is certain, and it's kinda complicated. At least, we need some uptades on that topic, if it really has something to do with LGBT. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Alex18moroz.SPbPU (talk • contribs) 15:47, 11 October 2019 (UTC)


 * 03.10.2019 A Russian court has ruled that two popular LGBT networking sites be blocked for disseminating "anti-family values", including a major online group with aroun 200.000 members. — Preceding unsigned comment added by OlyaAlex.SPbPU (talk • contribs) 16:36, 11 October 2019 (UTC)


 * Russia in 2013 introduced a law against 'gay propaganda', which officially bans the 'promotion of non-traditional lifestyles to minors' but in effct outlaws LGBT activism. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Liza.SPbSTU (talk • contribs) 16:43, 11 October 2019 (UTC)


 * LGBT organization provides information for reports of the OSCE, UN and the Council of Europe. It also prepares report on the situation with LGBT rights. For example, ‘Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity’ (adopted on 30 June 2016). Representatives of this organization take part in meetings of international organization. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Liza.SPbSTU (talk • contribs) 13:50, 12 October 2019 (UTC)

2017 1) LGBT Forum 2017. From November 3 to 5, the largest human rights event in Russia dedicated to the laws of LGBT communities in Russia took place in the Moscow Region - Forum of LGBT activists and activists! In 2017, the main theme of the Forum was “The LGBT Movement in Civil Society: Solidarity and Coalitions.” The 2017 LGBT Activist and Activist Forum brought together about 300 people from all over Russia and has become a unique space free of necessity! In 2017, the Forum has already opened for the third time. The Forum program includes not only a huge number of trainings, seminars and panel discussions (up to six regular events every day!), But also a cultural program and even classes in meditation and evenings. In addition, the Reporting-Election Conference of the Russian LGBT Network was held on November 5 and 6 as part of the Forum! Council of the interregional social movement “Russian LGBT Network”. The new Council included Misha Tumasov, Polina Balyaeva, Secretary of the Council, Artem Nikiforov, Zoya Matisova, Oksana Berezovskaya, Svetlana Zakharova, Tor Shirokov. https://www.lgbtnet.org/ru/newseng/forum-2017

2) Chechnya Officially in Chechnya, as part of the Russian Federation, LGBT people are not prosecuted by law. However, in practice in this region, the topic of homosexuality is a social taboo, as a result of which LGBT people are subjected to systematic violence by society and police. Of particular relevance were reports of massive unlawful detentions, torture and killings of Chechen gays in 2017. Human rights activists called the ongoing mass mopping-up of a social group unprecedented. In March 2017, the human rights organization Russian LGBT Network began to receive information that mass detentions, torture and killings of homosexual men had begun in Chechnya. On March 29, this organization opened the hotline kavkaz@lgbtnet.org. On April 1, Novaya Gazeta published an article reporting more than a hundred illegally detained and at least three murdered gay men in Chechnya. At the same time, journalists referred to "an unprecedentedly large number of sources", among which were LGBT activists, unofficial sources in the local UFSB, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the prosecutor's office and the administration of the head of the republic. Among the detainees, famous muftis and journalists were mentioned. The information about the mass detentions was confirmed by the human rights activist E. L. Sokiryanskaya. On April 3, Novaya Gazeta journalist Elena Milashina said that the number of deaths could be more than 50 people. According to Novaya Gazeta’s investigation, the first wave of illegal detentions began in the early days of February, when a young man was arrested in Chechnya while intoxicated. While viewing his phone, police found intimate materials, as well as contacts of local homosexuals. As a result, mass detentions and killings began. The second wave of repression occurred after LGBT activists of the GayRussia.ru project, as part of an all-Russian company, applied for a gay parade in several cities in the region (Nalchik, Cherkessk, Stavropol, Maykop). According to the Radio Liberty investigation, mass arrests of homosexuals in Chechnya began in December 2016. Later, many other media outlets published interviews with the victims, including The Guardian and BBC.

3) Annual film festival "side to side" ("bok o bok") https://the-challenger.ru/soznanie/novosti-soznanie/vi-lgbt-kinofestival-bok-o-bok-projdet-v-moskve-s-20-po-23-aprelya-2017/

4) Sad news from homophobia Year 2017, according to the Sova Information and Analytical Center, the number of attacks on LGBT activists in Russia was more than in 2016. So, in 2017, 11 representatives of the LGBT community were injured and beaten. In 2016, statistics showed four wounded and one murder due to hatred of gays. It is noted that most of the victims are participants in LGBT actions, such as the rally in memory of hated transgender people in Yaroslavl and the LGBT pride in St. Petersburg on August 12. If, in an attack on the homeless, the concept of “inciting hatred of a social group” is often taken into account by the court, then in the case of LGBT people, this wording does not apply. So, in a verdict in May in St. Petersburg for the murder of journalist Dmitry Tsilikin, the hatred motive was not taken into account. At the same time, the journalist’s killer Sergey Kosyrev called himself a “cleaner”, his life “a crusade against a certain social group” (meaning gays), and the feeling with which he killed Tsilikin “was not hostility, as the protocol says, but hatred ". Civic activist Natalya Tsymbalova initiated a petition calling for the re-qualification of the case as a hate crime. Nevertheless, Kosarev was convicted of domestic murder (part 1 of article 105 of the Criminal Code) and sentenced to eight and a half years in prison.“Fortunately, rally participants and journalists covering the rally suffered little,” said Sova. https://parniplus.com/news/v-rossii-postradalo-11-lgbt-aktivistov/   (talk) 15:40, 18 October 2019 (UTC)

In 2018

1. In November, the Permanent Representative of Iceland to the OSCE and Plenipotentiary Minister Gwudni Brogason made a statement on behalf of 16 OSCE participating States to intensify the so-called “Moscow Mechanism”. The decision was made after the Russian authorities gave a “unsatisfactory answer” to the organization’s request regarding the situation with human rights violations in the Chechen Republic. The Moscow Mechanism implies the creation of an independent expert group, which will deal with the investigation of violation by Russia of OSCE commitments. 

2. Attack on the Fifth Family LGBT + conference "Family Values and Partnerships". Ethics and Politics. "The Fifth Family Conference was to be held in Moscow on November 9-11, 2018, with 500 participants registered. However, on the first day of the conference organizators were forced to cancel the event due to homophobic threats to the organizers and the venue. But homophobes had not been stopped and the volunteers leaving the site were attacked with a gas spray. Two people were badly injured.

3. NonStop Conference This was a new conference format that was born after the Fifth Family Conference was disrupted and canceled. However, they were forced again to cancel the event due to threats. And then, the organizing committee of the conference decided that the time and place of following events of the #NonStop Conference would be open and available in advance. The purpose of the conference was the visibility of the LGBT + community, their families and unions.

4. Queerfest This Queerfest was a success with about 3,000 people attending the festival, which was held under the theme “I am proud of my culture,” and about 50,000 online views. The festival provided an opportunity for 11 LGBT initiatives, activists and activists from Bishkek, Volgodonsk, Bashkiria, Moscow and St. Petersburg to organize their events as part of the Open Space program.

5. Pavel Stotsko and Eugene Wojciechowski`s marriage The marriage stamp in the Russian passports of the male couple who had a wedding ceremony in Denmark was a milestone in the history of the Russian LGBT movement. The situation did not have a positive outcome, the couple had to leave the country, but for several days in Russia there officially existed a gay couple recognized by the state. This incident caused a huge public discussion, gave many LGBT people hope.

6. Petersburg LGBT Pride. Despite the repressive policies and far-fetched refusals of the authorities and courts to hold the rally, almost a hundred people went to the Palace Square to hold single pickets. This time thirty participants were detained, most of them were fined. At the same time, through collective efforts, it was possible to collect more than 100 thousand rubles, and to pay off all fines. The two remaining large fines help pay the Russian LGBT network.

7. Saint-Petersburg`s Week of Equality. The slogan of the Equality Week was "Let's destroy this prison." And the main topic - same-sex relationships in prisons - is one of the most taboo topics that almost no one deals with. The heroes of the meeting: LGBT women and men - former prisoners, as well as expert Leonid Agafonov - talked about the prison hierarchy, the situation of LGBT people behind bars, administrative pressure, mockery of the "offended", etc. This year, the human rights group "Woman. Prison. Society ”in collaboration with the Alliance, two multimedia projects were launched: “Forbidden Love in the spring” about same-sex relationships in women's prisons, and the big Outcasts project in the fall - about persecution for same-sex relationships in the prison system and the situation of the“ offended ”. The topic was also voiced at the KVIR fest and at the forum of LGBT activists and activists in Moscow.

8. “FOOTBALL FOR EVERYONE”, which took place in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod during the World Cup. Football festival was officially supported by FIFA, and in September it was also selected by an independent jury in the top 6 nominees for the 2018 FIFA Diversity Awards. 22 events were held, including football matches and an international conference in Moscow. The Moscow conference was the first international conference to combat homophobia and sexism in football, held in Russia with such representative speakers as, for example, Federico Addieki from FIFA or Ryan Atkin from the professional world of football. Moreover, the Festival was attended by the head of the Football Association of England, Greg Clark, and the legend and pride of German football, openly gay Thomas Hitzlschperger, supported our festival. — Preceding unsigned comment added by ElizavetaKalaeva.SPbPU (talk • contribs) 23:22, 23 October 2019 (UTC)


 * In 2019 again activated a work of website, promoted as a “game” - identify gay people, upload their photos and information to database, and then proceed to hunt them down and torture them, as in the gruesome “Saw” movies that inspired the site’s name. In July 2019, LGBTQ activist Yelena Grigorieva, who was among this list, was found dead near her home in St.Petersburg. The website that targeted Grigorieva, Kochetkov and others began operating in April 2018, welcoming “gay hunters” to participate in “Chechnya’s Comeback”. — Preceding unsigned comment added by OlyaAlex.SPbPU (talk • contribs) 15:05, 13 October 2019 (UTC)


 * In 2019 was a survey among the Russians and 47% of them voted for equal rights of LGBT. It is important to note, that this is the most high indicator for the last 14 years. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Valery.SPbPU (talk • contribs) 15:32, 13 October 2019 (UTC)


 * In April 2019 in Russia was created project "We accept". In this project people tell own stories of their life. Author and coordinator of project, Anastasiia Sechina, planned to publish anonymous stories, but people decided to "call their names" and "open their faces". On the website of project there are a lot of stories from different countries. And everyone from LGBT community can tell own story. "We accept" is directed on support of gay people and another who belong to LGBT community. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Valery.SPbPU (talk • contribs) 16:00, 13 October 2019 (UTC)


 * On the website I've found some information about annual forums, which they organise. It is one of their biggest projects, so, it's something worth mentioning!


 * Apart from that, we can also add a list of all the articles, brochures, etc they are publishing with links attached!

comment added by ElizavetaKalaeva.SPbPU (talk • contribs) 02:15, 15 October 2019 (UTC)

1.In 2015 the Russian LGBT Network has documented 284 reported cases of violence  and  discrimination  against  LGBT  people  in  Russia. These cases  included those that were recorded by monitoring teams in nine Russian cities as well as the results of the processing of reportings to the legal aid service of the Russian LGBT Network and reports of violations via the website of the Russian LGBT Network. Physical violence – 52 cases One of  the  largest  problems  with  monitoring  violations  based  on  SOGI  (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) is that often survivors of these violations are not open about theiridentity,resulting in an unwillingness to resort to law enforcement authorities.Abuses by law enforcement officials – 21 cases.Monitoring shows that the fears faced by survivors of violence and discrimination  are  not  at  all  baseless. In 2015,  21  abuses  by  law  enforcement  agencies  were  recorded. Those abuses  include  refusals  to  accept  reports,  psychological violence against the victims, humiliation, and illegal detention.Violations of labor law – 22 cases.Violations  of  labor  law  include  instances  of    illegal  dismissals,  refusal  to hire a potential employee, and harassment at the workplace due to SOGI. Layoffs or changing a decision to hire in these cases took place after the individual came out or was outed to employers, which confirms their homophobic motive. Examples of such cases are listedbelow, the first of which occurred in Omsk.Discrimination and violence against transgender people – 20 cases.In this group the following cases are documented:physical violence (6 cases);violation of labor rights (6 cases);restricted access to goods and services due to transphobia (6 cases);unjustified refusal to change documents (2 cases).Violation of the right to freedom of assembly – 26 cases.Types of documented cases: unreasonable refusals to harmonize public LGBT actions, public actions breakings by law enforcement officials, and illegal detention  of  participants  and  pressure  on  the  organizers. Family violence, violation of parental rights – 9 cases.The section  includes  physical  violence,  restriction  of  freedom  of  movement,  and  turning  LGBT  teenagers  and  young  adults  (under  20  years  old)  out of house by parents. Of course, there are many more cases like these. A project “Children-404”  alone,  that  works  on  this  topic,  recorded  thousands  of  stories. [MONITORING OFDISCRIMINATION AND VIOLENCE BASED ON SOGI IN RUSSIA IN 2015: GENERAL INFORMATION ]

2. As part of the "Week against homophobia and transphobia" April 4, 2015 Arkhangelsk LGBT activists held an action "Angels of Death". During this action, information was distributed to residents of the city and explanatory conversations were held.Blood on Angels as a symbol of multiple murders and attacks on LGBT people of Arkhangelsk. What is homophobia? How many brutal attacks have people been subjected to? All this could be learned from these leaflets. "Say words of encouragement, as did many stars of show business, people of culture and science, doctors and teachers, our moms and dads, our children. We are waiting for your kind words " - reads the text of the leaflet. On March 28, as part of the Week against homophobia and transphobia-2015, the Novosibirsk LGBT Network and the service project for transgender people "T9 NSK" held a seminar "Stop discrimination".The presenters spoke  about the concepts of "stigma" and "discrimination" - what it is in General, about the reflection in the cultures of some peoples and about the origins of stigma, originating from ancient times. A detailed analysis of concepts and a heated discussion made it clear that the manifestation and content of stigma and discrimination are always equally destructive and any xenophobia is unacceptable.

3. IDAHOT 2015 in Russia On May 17, various events devoted to the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia took place all over the world. In Russia, Rainbow flashmobs and other events took place in 16 cities - in Arkhangelsk, Voronezh, Ekaterinburg, Krasnodar, Moscow, Nakhodka, Novosibirsk, Murmansk, Samara, St. Petersburg, Omsk, Perm, Tolyatti, Tomsk, Tyumen and Khabarovsk. Most rallies took place without serious incidents.The first flashmobs in Russia went in the Far East, in Nakhodka and Khabarovsk. And while in Nakhodka the event passed without any disturbances, the organizer of the Rainbow flashmob in Khabarovsk Alexander Ermoshkin was attacked before the demonstration.“Over 350 people celebrated IDAHO in the center of St. Petersburg on Marsovo Pole, this event becoming the largest LGBT rally as of today in Russia. Representatives of “Coming Out”, the Russian LGBT Network, Side by Side LGBT festival, the Youth Human Rights Group, and the Center for Development of Democracy and Human Rights spoke of the importance of solidarity within civil society, support of vulnerable groups, and the growing strength of the LGBT movement in our common struggle for peace and human rights in Russia”. In Krasnodar the LGBT organization “Revers” and the regional branch of the Russian LGBT Network organized the Rainbow flashmob.

4.From 7 to 9 November 2015 a Forum of LGBT activists and activists was held in the Moscow region. It was attended by 150 people from 26 cities of Russia: Alexandrov, Arkhangelsk, Astrakhan, Belomorsk, Vladivostok, Voronezh, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, Kazan, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Moscow, Murmansk, Nakhodka, Nizhny Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Orel, Perm, Rostov-on-don, Samara, St. Petersburg, Syktyvkar, Tomsk, Tyumen, Khabarovsk. Organized by the Russian LGBT network, the Forum has become a platform for exchange of experience and communication for a variety of LGBT organizations, initiative groups and activists and an important step towards the development of the LGBT movement. The forum showed that, despite the difficult situation with LGBT rights in the country, the movement lives, develops and becomes stronger.[LGBT network website]

1. On September 5-7, a meeting of the Interregional Coordination Council (ICC) of the Russian LGBT Network took place in Moscow. Among other things, the results of the work in 2014 were summed up: in 2014, activists of the Russian LGBT Network organized 165 events devoted to the work with LGBT community and with the wider population to inform people about the problems of lesbians, gays and bisexual and transgender people in Russia. ICC is new form of interregional cooperation, established in 2013 in order enhance the effectiveness of work in the regions; it consists of the elected members of the regional and collective members. This time 25 people took part in the work of the Council. The results of the work in 2014 and future of the organization were among the topics discussed during the meeting. In 2014, the following actions were organized in various regions of Russia: 53 events to spread information about LGBT rights and problems, 144 events for the members of LGBT community, 33 street actions and 21 advocacy events; the lawyers of the Network worked with 12 cases in the courts. It turned out that Tyumen LGBT organization “Raduzhny Dom”, Murmansk regional organization “Maximum” and Sverdlovsk and Voronezh regional branches of Russian LGBT Network were the most active in 2014. The chairperson of the Russian LGBT Network Igor Kochetkov stated: “This meeting was an inspiration for all of us. Despite of numerous difficulties, our activists have ideas and resources to make it fly. Right now many human rights activist are quite pessimistic, but the Network works on and ready to face the future with confidence”. (Article - Russian LGBT Network)

2. In November 2014,the following members of the Board were elected:Tatiana Vinnichenkois the Chairperson of the Board of the Russian LGBT Network; she isalso a human rights defender and  feminist. In 2014, Tatiana Vinnichenko was elected into the Board of the Movement for the second time –she became the Chairperson of the Board and replaced Igor Kochetkov in thatcapacity. Igor Kochetkovis  a  public  figure,  human  rights  defender. Since 2004, Igor Kochetkov is an activist of the Russian LGBT movement. In 2008, he was elected to be the first Chairperson of the Russian LGBT Network and held this position until November 2014. In 2013, he was included in the list of The Leading Global Thinkers (by Foreign Policy magazine). In 2014, Igor Kochetkov was a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize. In addition, he is a member of the St. Petersburg Human Rights Council. Kseniya Kirichenkois a legal expert and human rights defender. Since 2012,  Kseniya  is  the  coordinator  of  the  strategic  litigation  program  and  the  program  on  international advocacy in the LGBT initiative group “Coming Out”. She is also the Director of the Transgender LegalDefense Project. Elena Shakhovais  the  Chairperson  of  the  Citizens  Watch,  which  is  a  St. Petersburg human  rights  NGO founded in 1992. Elena Shakhova  is  involved in  various  projects  devoted  to  the  formation  of  independent and  impartialcourt, legal  aid,  work  with  young  human  rights  activists,  and  distribution  of  information  about  NGOs  in  Russia. Moreover, Elena actively participates in the work of EU-Russia Civil Society Forum, Human Rights and the Rule of Law working group.For a long time the Citizens Watch supports the Russian LGBT Network and Elena Shakhova –supports various LGBT-related projects aimed at the civil society in Russia. Anna Gizullinais  is the head of the Sverdlovsk regional branch of the Russian LGBT Network. For the  years  when  Anna  Gizullina  was  the  head  of  the  Sverdlovsk  regional  branch  of  the  Russian  LGBT Network,this regional division became one of the most effective in the Movement. Mikhail Tumasovis  an  LGBT  activist  and  human  rights  defender. Mikhail has  an  extensive  managerial experience. In 2011, he founded Samara’s social LGBT-movement “Avers” and Samara’s regional branch of the Russian LGBT Network. Over the 3 years when Mikhail was the head of Avers, the organization became well known  in  the  region  and  all  over  the  country. Polina Balyavahas a lot of experience of work with NGOs. Over last ten years, she is coordinating various social projects. Polina Balyaeva is an individual member of the Russian LGBT Network since the creation of the Movement. Moreover, Polina Balyaeva is a trainer of the Russian LGBT Network, specialist in fundraising and teambuilding. She worked with more than 25 projects in various NGOs. 

3. The Russian LGBT Network summarized the results of the poll devoted to the violation of LGBT’ human rights in Russia. The survey showed that almost half of the respondents faced psychological violence in 2014. The survey showed that in 2014, 47% of LGBT faced psychological violence, 15% - physical violence; 21% of respondents encountered violation of their rights related to personal data protection, 37% had difficulties with employment or with the employer because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. At the same time, only 7% of respondents stated that they are willing to report to the police if their rights are violated. The survey also showed that this year more people than before know about the services of the Russian LGBT Network. Thus, 23% of respondents new about the hotline, 28% - about free psychological counselling and legal aid at the time surveyed. PR manager of the Russian LGBT Network Svetlana Zakharova stated that “The survey shows that the so-called “propaganda law” adopted in 2013 negatively affected LGBT community in Russia. Moreover, over the years the research proves that the statements of some politicians that LGBT in Russia don’t face any discrimination are unfounded”. Starting from 2007, the Russian LGBT Network conducts an annual anonymous survey devoted to the violation of human rights and discrimination based on SOGI. Every year 1000-3000 people participate. In 2014, the survey was conducted from the beginning of August until the end of September, 1092 people participated. [Article - Russian LGBT Network] — Preceding unsigned comment added by Valery.SPbPU (talk • contribs) 15:49, 18 October 2019 (UTC)

4. In Samara and Togliatti on may 17, events were held in the framework of the International day against homophobia and transphobia. Together with other tens of thousands of people who participated in a variety of actions around the world on this day, Samaritans and Tolyatti launched colorful balloons into the air and held other festive events. After all, the occasion is very important - it was on may 17, 1990, who excluded homosexuality from the list of diseases. Since then, the entire international medical community has recognized homosexuality and bisexuality, as well as heterosexuality, as variations of normal sexual orientation. In Togliatti very warmly and sincerely celebrated the holiday. Twenty-five balls of the color of the rainbow were launched into the sky Tolyatti right in the center of the city. Eight people took part in the action. LGBT people from the Capital and their friends are taking part in such a rainbow flash mob for the second year in a row. But no matter how cheerful the holiday – do not forget about the consequences of state homophobia. LGBT activist "AVERS" Alina Aliyeva decided to refresh the memory of citizens about last year's events in Volgograd on the night of may 9-10, when a group of thugs brutally killed Vladislav Tornov, suspecting him of homosexuality. Leaflets about this crime and its causes were received by residents of Samara houses in their mailboxes. [Russian LGBT Network]

2016: 1) 14th of April In Barnaul (Russian city), the court decided to block the website of 'the Children 404 project', which was created in the spring of 2013 to provide support and psychological assistance to LGBT adolescents. The founder of the project, Elena Klimova, urged readers to use the means of bypassing locks and said that the site will continue to work as a library.

During the meeting, the Russian LGBT Network reports, a representative of the prosecutor's office provided documents stating that the community of the project on the VKontakte social network has already been blocked by a decision of the Kaluga District Court, which appears in the case against Elena Klimova and the project for helping LGBT teenagers for the first time. Despite this, the prosecutor's office did not abandon its demand to block the group.

The court refused to recognize the group in VKontakte social network as forbidden (most likely the reason is that the group was already recognized as such by the decision of the Kaluga court), but it satisfied the requirements of the prosecutor in so far as the project site is concerned. According to Maria Kozlovskaya, senior lawyer of the Russian LGBT Network, “apparently, the decision was made in advance, and no expert opinions were of any importance”.

The decisions of the Central District Court of Barnaul and the Kaluga District Court will be appealed to higher instances. [article- web-site 'Kyrgyz Indigo'-https://indigo.kg/prokuratura-barnaula-dobilas-blokirovki-sayta-proekta-deti-404-za-yavnuyu-propagandu.html — Preceding unsigned comment added by Liza.SPbSTU (talk • contribs) 15:32, 18 October 2019 (UTC)

2)August 29th The regional branch of the political party "Yabloko" in the elections to the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg included in its election program a paragraph stating the need to "recognize LGBT people as a social group." “As a party that fights for human rights and for the absence of discrimination in society, as well as for the European way of developing the country, we do not accept any form of discrimination on the grounds of gender, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation. Religion and sexual preferences are private human life, "- said in a program posted on the official website of Yabloko. Thus, the political party tried to increase its electorate thereby taking a leading position in the government. The party also tried to positively influence people's minds.

3) November 19th In St. Petersburg, sentenced to “gay hunter” and his accomplices Two members of the gang hunter gang escaped with suspended sentences. One was sentenced to a real term of two years and three months. All gang members admitted their guilt and agreed to cooperate with the investigation. How many homosexuals became victims of the trinity, one can only speculate. Only one man turned to the police, from whom in January 2016 a gang extorted 500,000 rubles. '... He hit me on the back of my head and leg. Another demonstrated ... a sewing needle and threatened to stick it in my eye; 'followed by a threat to forcibly undress him and photograph him naked'

Some additional info on Chechnya: Year 2015: "Maxim Lapunov, 30, told reporters on Monday that he was demanding justice from the Russian government for the 12 days he spent locked in a blood-soaked jail cell, led out daily with a plastic bag over his head to be beaten by police officers demanding he confess to being gay". ""The charge was that I am gay," said Lapunov, dressed in a white T-shirt and blue cardigan, told reporters on Monday in a news conference at the Novaya Gazeta newspaper, which has published several explosive reports on the alleged torture of gay men in Chechnya". (A man tortured in Chechnya for being gay dares to go public with his story; Investigators said they hadn't received any official complaints. Maxim Lapunov is the first. Export Citation; Washington Post Blogs)

Year 2017, oct.: "A leading Russian human rights group said it has "serious fears" a gay Chechen pop star has been killed in a crackdown on the gay community. Zelimkhan Bakayev has not been seen since 8 August when he left his Moscow home to travel to Chechnya's capital Grozny to attend his sister's wedding." - first case related to a local celebrity; Police has been silent and refused to suit a file: "According to the AFP, Mr Bakayev's mother called on Chechnya's authorities to launch an investigation into her son's disappearance but Mr Orlov said no inquiry had yet been opened". ("Pop star 'feared dead' in Chechnya's anti-gay purge." Independent [London, England], 29 Oct. 2017, p. 20. Gale General OneFile)

Year 2018, at Trump-Putin summit: "On April 1, 2017, Novaya Gazeta, a Russian independent media outlet, first broke the news that Chechen authorities rounded up and detained in secret prisons more than 100 men who were suspected of being gay or bisexual. Chechen leaders have denied these accusations, going so far as to deny the very existence of LGBTQ people in Chechnya"; "Since news of the attacks first broke, HRC has sounded the alarm through an #EyesOnChechnya campaign and repeatedly called on Donald Trump and Mike Pence to speak out and take action. In March, HRC also released a letter from HRC President Chad Griffin to Trump calling on him to end his deafening silence and publicly condemn the attacks as crimes against humanity". (At Trump-Putin Summit, HRC Confronts Both Leaders With Giant ProjectionTargeted; News Service)

Year 2019,apr., Igor Kochetkov, LGBTI rights defender recieves death threats: "On 29 January this year, a video containing insults and a death threat directed at Igor Kochetkov was widely distributed across social networks. After Igor Kochetkov presented a formal complaint against the author of this video, the police merely suggested that "next time the human rights defender should call an emergency number". An official investigation has not been opened by the police to date". ("RUSSIA: TWO YEARS AFTER CHECHNYA'S 'GAY PURGE', VICTIMS STILL SEEK JUSTICE AS LGBTI DEFENDER RECEIVES DEATH THREATS." States News Service, 1 Apr. 2019. Gale Academic Onefile) — Preceding unsigned comment added by LackofloveSPbPU (talk • contribs) 16:04, 18 October 2019 (UTC)

2019: 1.In 2019, the annual «Bok o bok» (Side-by-Side)  festival will be held in St. Petersburg from November 14 to 21. The main theme of the LGBT film festival in Russia, «Bok o bok» will be “gender: borders and transitions”. 2. The project of the Ural journalist Ekaterina Ponomareva about transgender people was shortlisted at the prestigious international Content Innovation Awards 2019. The documentary project “Form 087” is presented in the Representaion on Screen category. Along with the Urals, among the nominees are international companies, including Netflix, HBO, and MTV. “Form 087” is a cycle of 4 episodes, each of which is dedicated to one person who made the transgender transition. The project was named in honor of the eponymous name of the certificate, which doctors give to the one who decided on this. 3. The Tinder app started warning its LGBT + users that Russia is “a place where the LGBTQ community can be persecuted.” The purpose of the innovation is to remind about the need to show “special caution” in the country. To users located in the country, Tinder demonstrates the following appeal: “Your location indicates that you are in a place where it is possible to persecute the LGBTQ community. “We want you to have fun and have a good time, but your safety is our number 1 priority.” — Preceding unsigned comment added by OlyaYa.SPbPU (talk • contribs) 16:23, 18 October 2019 (UTC)