An example of how LGBTQ voices are being silenced in Russia is the recent decision by a court in St Petersburg – the court ruled in favour of an application to block the Russian LGBT Network from the social media platform Vkontakte.

The court based its ruling on monitoring of the website of the Russian LGBT Network.

It’s alleged by the state prosecutor that the monitoring revealed:

Information “which neglects family values, promotes nontraditional sexual relations and forms disrespect to parents and/or other family members”; and
“pictures, photos and video content demonstrating homosexual love between men and women” which is “considered to be promotion of nontraditional sexual relations.”

The Russian LGBT Network has lodged an appeal against the ruling with the St Petersburg City Court.

“The Russian LGBT Network is a human rights organisation…” said Svetlana Zakharova, a board member of the Russian LGBT Network. “We don’t post any material that should be restricted to adults. We talk about discrimination and violation of human rights, and we provide help to everyone – including teenagers. We will continue to fight for our right to share this information.” Read more via Means Happy