Who are we

чт, 09/06/2012 - 18:56

The Russian LGBT network was founded in April 2006. In October 2008, the All-Russian Conference of civic organizations in support of the LGBT movement was held in Moscow. During this conference, the network transformed into an interregional public movement. The Charter and Strategy were created, and governing bodies were elected.

Mission: The Russian LGBT Network is an interregional, non-governmental human rights organization that promotes equal rights and respect for human dignity, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. We unite and develop regional initiatives, advocacy groups (at both national and international levels), and provide social and legal services.

Our views

The world's diversity should not create enemies. Hatred towards those of a different sexual orientation is harmful for everyone. A person’s value should not be defined on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, but rather that of their personal qualities and actions in their professional, civic and family life. We want to live in a society that respects and welcomes a variety of identities, views and lifestyles because it shares the common values of peace, non-violence and the pursuit of happiness.

Our goals are

  • To get the state to acknowledge and obey a set of basic rights and freedoms essential for the protection of the human dignity of LGBT people and further work on human rights in Russia
  • To enhance the visibility of the community, boost its potential, ensure its protection, and engage it in various forms of civic activity
  • To raise awareness of the dangers associated with homophobia and transphobia, and create an understanding that these are types of xenophobia and should not be socially accepted

What we do now

  • Develop a direct dialogue with the authorities, political parties, human rights and civic activists
  • Hold nationwide information campaigns
  • Help unite and organize LGBT people in the regions of Russia
  • Provide LGBT people with psychological and legal support, regardless of their place of residence and other discriminating factors
  • Help the parents and friends of LGBT
  • Conduct research on the socio-legal status of LGBT people in Russia
  • Provide international organizations, which control Russia’s observance of its international human rights obligations (UN, the Council of Europe, OSCE), with alternative reports on the situation of LGBT people in the country.
  • Hold round table discussions, seminars, conferences, trainings etc.
  • Publish informational, educational and methodological materials
  • Provide professional assistance with strategic legal cases
  • Provide the LGBT community with distant informational, psychological and legal  support
  • Hold nationwide trainings for leaders of the LGBT-movement
  • And a lot more...

What have we achieved?

  • We have helped create LGBT groups and organizations in 20 different regions of Russia
  • We have established regular and direct contact with the Human Rights Commissioner of Russia, members of the Presidential Council for human rights, as well as various ministries and other authorities of the Russian Federation
  • We got the leading Russian human rights organizations to acknowledge the need to protect the rights of the LGBT community
  • We had Measures against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity included in the recommendations for the Russian Federation  (UN Human Rights Committee, 2009; CEDAW, 2010, etc);
  • We have gained the support of major international organizations, such as the UN and the Council of Europe
  • National networks of lawyers and psychologists have been created to provide LGBT people with various forms of support, including face-to-face and distant consultations
  • We have a hotline that is available in all parts of the country
  • Thanks to our work, a lot of LGBT people in Russia have found the courage to come out and be who they are
  • We have helped to draw public attention to the issues of homophobia and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
  • We are recognized by the leading human rights organizations
  • We have our own office and staff

At this point in time the Russian LGBT Network has regional divisions in 14 regions of the Russian Federation.

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