[STIRI Lume] Russia: LGBT groups could be declared 'extremist' in court ruling

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In Moscow men holding reindeer antlers above their heads are dancing around a stage. It is a traditional marriage ceremony originating from the far north of Russia.

Bride and groom, Ilona and Alexander, are sitting by a mock campfire and observing time-honoured rituals, like the ripping of cloth and a dance with animal furs.

This is one of a series of weddings from different parts of Russia that are being held at an exhibition promoting patriotism and "traditional values".

Ceremony over, the registrar declares: "In accordance with the Family Code of the Russian Federation, I now pronounce you husband and wife!"

Russia's constitution was changed three years ago to make it clear that marriage means a union between a man and a woman. All the weddings at the exhibition feature a bride and groom.

Non-traditional couples in Russia enjoy no such stage: same-sex unions are not recognised here.

What's more, in recent years Russia's LGBT community has come under increasing pressure from the authorities. In 2013, a law was adopted prohibiting "the propaganda [amongst minors] of non-traditional sexual relations".

Last year, those restrictions were extended to all age groups in Russia. References to LGBT people have been deleted from books, films, adverts and TV shows. Earlier this month, one Russian TV channel discoloured a rainbow in a South Korean pop video, to avoid being accused of violating the "gay propaganda" law.

Now Russia's justice ministry has filed a motion with the supreme court to have what it calls the "International LGBT public movement" declared an "extremist" organisation and banned. Even though no such organisation exists as a legal entity. 

                                                                                                                                                     

                            SURSA