Reports: Moscow Gay Clubs Targeted in Police Raids, Reportedly Directed at Russia's LGBT Community

According to local media reports, several gay clubs in Moscow have been raided by the police following the Supreme Court's move to outlaw the "LGBT movement" in Russia. During the raids, club goers were briefly detained and had their passports photographed. One attendee expressed fear of receiving a lengthy jail sentence. The police claimed that the raids were conducted in search of drugs, while city officials have yet to comment on the matter. Eyewitnesses described how the police abruptly halted the party and began entering the lounges, with foreigners also present at the gathering. Reports suggest that three clubs were raided on Friday evening, as evidenced by photos and videos shared on social media showing police officers and a van outside one of the clubs. These raids occurred the day after Russia's Supreme Court labeled the "LGBT public movement" as an extremist organization and prohibited its activities nationwide. Although the justice ministry initiated the motion, there is no legally recognized organization fitting this description. Russia's constitution was amended in 2020 to define marriage as solely between a man and a woman, therefore not recognizing same-sex unions. The LGBT community in Russia has faced increasing pressure from authorities in recent years, with a 2013 law banning the "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations" aimed at minors and extended to all age groups last year. These restrictions have resulted in the removal of LGBT references from books, films, advertisements, and television shows. As an example, one Russian TV channel altered a rainbow in a South Korean pop video to avoid violating the "gay propaganda" law.