Gay Travel Advisory

Russia

Federal Law No. 135-FZ

Sources
  1. Text of the law is available at: http://www.threefold.ru/russian-laws-amended-federal-law-no-135-fz-amending-certain-laws-russian-federation-view-protect-children

Legal Code Text

Federal Law No 135-FZ which prohibits the promotion of non-traditional sexual relations among minors has been used to prosecute a range of people since it was enacted, including activists, websites and the media.

Russia has not explicitly criminalised private same-sex acts since 1993, but on 30 November 2023 the Supreme Court, acting on a Ministry of Justice lawsuit, categorised the 'international LGBT movement' as an 'extremist organisation' under the Federal Law on Counteracting Extremist Activity (Federal Law No. 114-FZ, 2002). Displaying LGBT-associated symbols (e.g. rainbow imagery) can now draw administrative fines/detention, and organising or financing related activity can draw up to 4 years' imprisonment under extremism statutes -- a substantially broader and more punitive framework than the pre-existing 2013 'gay propaganda' law.

SCRUFF Travel Notes

LGBTI Travelers: Russian law bans providing "the propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" to minors. Foreign citizens face fines, up to 15 days in jail, and deportation. The law is vague as to what Russia considers propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations. • Discrimination based on sexual orientation is widespread in Russia. Acts of violence and harassment targeting LGBTI individuals occur. • Government officials have made derogatory comments about LGBTI persons. • Violence against the LGBTI community has increased sharply since the law banning propaganda was passed, including entrapment and torture of young gay men by neo-Nazi gangs and the murder of multiple individuals due to their sexual orientation. • There have been credible reports of arrest, torture, and extrajudicial killing of gay men in Chechnya allegedly conducted by Chechen regional authorities. See our [LGBTI](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/lgbti.html) page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details. HIV/AIDS Entry Restrictions: Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Russia. Applicants for longer-term tourist and work visas or residence permits are required to undergo an HIV/AIDS test. The Russian government may also ask these applicants to undergo tests for tuberculosis and leprosy. Travelers who believe they may be subject to these requirements should verify this information with the [Embassy of the Russian Federation](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/RussianFederation.html#ExternalPopup) .