Vladimir Putin is once again making anti-queer headlines. According to a report in the Washington Post, he spoke of Western decadence and railed against transgender people, among other things.
This is not the first time that the Russian president has taken such a clear position. In the past, there were also situations when he left no doubt about what he thinks of transsexual people.
The statement was made - according to the report - within the framework of the Valdai debating club in Sochi.
What exactly is Vladimir Putin bothered about?
The report says that Putin is disturbed by the fact that children are taught that it is possible to become a boy as a girl and a girl as a boy. It is almost a crime against humanity to allow such teachings.
Furthermore, he directly opposed activists and activists who support transsexual people. It is their goal to abolish gender differences and parents in the form of mother and father.
Majorities would be discriminated against for minorities. He did not deny the West the right to act in this way, but at the same time stated that he himself wanted nothing to do with it.
The statement that the Russian president is making is exactly the same as the one he made some time ago. It wasn't all that long ago that he spoke out against rainbow families and defended the classic family.
What is the current situation for trans people in Russia?
Many queers living in Russia currently feel strongly oppressed - among other things, also because it is possible to marry as a same-sex loving couple there. However, it is also particularly frightening that many activists have the impression that the topic of homosexuality is to be completely suppressed in Russia. After all, it is also forbidden there to talk about relationships that are not between a man and a woman. The main reason given for this is that the aim is to protect children and young people.
Accordingly, many members of the community live in secret and do not dare to publicly admit their love.
To what extent does political opinion rub off?
What is particularly frightening is that the homophobic opinions of leading politicians in Russia seem to rub off on the people, among others.
A large part of people living in Russia are against the idea that homosexual marriages might be allowed in their country at some point in the future. At the same time, many people suffer from not being allowed to stand by themselves, among other things, but also from public pressure to "love forbidden".
The example of Russia shows once again the great influence that political figures, but also tradition and public statements can have on a population. As long as nothing changes in people's minds, the situation of queer people in Russia will probably not improve.
A 2018 report already showed that many of them are struggling with psychological damage and stress. In a survey of young people from both urban and rural areas, the picture was largely consistent. Many of them were regularly insulted, and some had even been victims of violent acts. Many experts are of the opinion here, especially with the homophobic legal requirements and the obvious desire to "sweepsame-sex love and trans people under thetable", numerous queers would be harmed. In this way, the negative image of the community would be damaged even further. The consequence: even more exclusion.
The time has finally come, the first gay is on the Playboy cover.