Russia's top court bans LGBTQ activism as 'extremist'

Russia's Supreme Court on Thursday ruled to designate LGBTQ activists as "extremists" and ban its activities, in the latest move against expressions of sexual orientations and genders in Russia. 

The Justice Ministry had requested the recognition of the "the international LGBT social movement" as extremist and to ban its activities.

Both the court and the Justice Ministry have referred to a "movement" in their statements. 

The ministry filed the lawsuit earlier this month, saying that authorities had identified "signs and manifestations of an extremist nature" by an LGBTQ "movement" operating in Russia. 

In its statement announcing the lawsuit, the ministry claimed that such activism included "incitement of social and religious discord." However, it offered no details or evidence.

'Non existent organization'

Max Olenichev, human rights lawyer who works with the Russian LGBTQ community, noted the odd phrasing in remarks to The Associated Press news agency before the hearing.

"Despite the fact that the Justice Ministry demands to label a nonexistent organization — 'the international civic LGBT movement' — extremist, in practice it could happen that the Russian authorities, with this court ruling at hand, will enforce it against LGBTQ+ initiatives that work in Russia, considering them a part of this civic movement," Olenichev said.