LGBT MOVEMENT BETWEEN PUTIN AND THE POPE

LGBT MOVEMENT BETWEEN PUTIN AND THE POPE
Russia has tightened its so-called “LGBT anti-propaganda law,”

In the last decade, the movement for the rights of LGBT people has won important battles in many countries, especially in the West. So much so that even the Catholic Church, especially thanks to Pope Francis, has softened its position against the collective. However, in other latitudes, such as the Middle East or Russia, the outlook is much more bleak.

Recognition of the rights of the LGBT community has been growing gradually, especially in much of Europe and the United States, as well as several Latin American countries, such as Uruguay. Equal marriage, recognition of non-binary identities and, in general, the promotion of a culture in which different sexual and gender identities are not taboo, has been a welcome change.

READ MORE: “RUSSIA HARDENS ITS ANTI-LGBT POLICY

But while the opening occurs on one side of the world, the other becomes increasingly radical in more conservative and homophobic positions. For example, Russia has tightened its so-called “LGBT anti-propaganda law,” which virtually prohibits any activity that is supposed to promote a sexual orientation other than straight.

 

The POPE: BENEVOLENT TO THE LGBTI COMMUNITY

Pope Francis has reiterated that although the Catholic Church cannot allow sacramental marriage between same-sex couples, it is not opposed to civil unions and that the criminalization of the collective in many countries, including Russia, of course, cannot be ignored.

The pontiff assured that homosexual people are also children of God, and that he does not condemn them since criminalizing these acts is an injustice. Likewise, he assured that the LGBT community cannot be marginalized.

READ MORE: “PANSEXUAL AND BISEXUAL DIFFERENCE

According to Pope Francis, the catechism does not indicate that same-sex attraction was not a sin, although what he calls “homosexual acts” is. Although the distinction is still significant and not entirely welcoming to the LGBT community, it is, if nothing else, a sign that times are changing…or not.

The POPE: BENEVOLENT TO THE LGBTI COMMUNITY

RUSSIA CONTINUES TO HUNT

Despite the fact that in theory, homosexuality in Russia has not been prohibited since 1993, President Vladimir Putin has been hardening his speech (and the force of the law) against the group. In December 2022, the “anti-LGBT propaganda” law xnxx, which has been approved since 2013, includes new crimes.

The Law already prohibited disseminating information on sexual differences to minors, but now it is not possible to talk about the subject to adults, nor “praise” so-called “non-traditional” relationships. Because the legislation is extremely vague, almost any activity, such as dragging or holding hands in public, could be punished and fined.

RUSSIA CONTINUES TO HUNTFor LGBT activists, these changes respond to Putin’s need to divert attention from the war in Ukraine, as well as further differentiate himself from the West. On the other hand, the law has already led to the censorship of series, films and books with LGBT themes, such as the HBO series, ‘The White Lotus’.

READ MORE:”THE BATTLE OF LARGO

Although Russia is one of the toughest countries to be gay, it’s not the only country with discriminatory laws. According to data from ILGA World, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, 66 UN member states continue to criminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations.

As we can see, the freedom that a person part of the LGBT community has will depend on the place where they live. While in the United States, President Joe Biden has signed federal protections for the collective, in Russia and 65 other countries, all that remains is underground.

 

 

RUSSIA HARDENS ITS ANTI-LGBT POLICY

RUSSIA HARDENS ITS ANTI-LGBT POLICY

Although homosexuality is not itself criminalized, Russia is among the most hostile countries towards the LGBTI community. Especially thanks to legislation banning so-called LGBTI “propaganda” in the country, which President Vladimir Putin amplified in December.

Since 1993 homosexuality has been legal in Russia. However, the Kremlin has found in the “anti-LGBTI propaganda” law (as it is popularly known) a tacit way of prohibiting any type of public expression of sexual diversity, as well as the LGBTI movement in the country.

READ MORE: “PANSEXUAL AND BISEXUAL DIFFERENCE

This law entered into force in 2013 and, according to various NGOs, it is written so vaguely that it is used as a political instrument and a violation of human rights. According to it, anyone who “promotes” “non-traditional” relationships can be fined.

 

WHAT ARE THE CHANGES THAT PUTIN HAS MADE TO THE ANTI-LGBTI LAW?

The 2013 law prohibited the dissemination of information related to the LGBTQ community to minors. However, the extension now also extends the measure to adults, and includes the fact of “praise” the “non-traditional” relationships or say that they are “normal”.

On the other hand, information on gender change cannot be given either. In addition, the law includes and associates pedophilia, which is a paraphilia and is not part of the accepted spectrum of sexual diversity, with the LGBTI collective, which results in misinformation.

WHAT ARE THE CHANGES THAT PUTIN HAS MADE TO THE ANTI-LGBTI LAW?

The law includes the Internet, mass communication media, books, audiovisual services, cinema and advertising. As mentioned above, this legislation is also used for political purposes, and is one of the tools that Putin keeps in his “culture war” with the West.

READ MORE:”THE BATTLE OF LARGO

Punishments include fines of up to 400,000 rubles (US$6,370) for “LGBT propaganda” and up to 200,000 rubles (US$3,185) for “LGBT demonstrations and information that encourages gender change among adolescents.” For legal persons, the fines go up to 4 and 5 million rubles tukif (between 64 thousand and 80 thousand US dollars).

 

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE LGBTI COMMUNITY WORSENS

In 2017, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the 2013 anti-LGBTQ law was discriminatory, promoted homophobia, and was in clear violation of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Likewise, various NGOs such as Amnesty International and ILGA Europe have launched various reports against it. In fact, the latter body has ranked Russia 46th out of 49 European nations when it comes to inclusion of the LGBTQ community.

READ MORE: “FORGE IS NOW A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

Among the facts denounced by ILGA-Europe are crimes motivated by discrimination and hate. In their 2020 report, they indicated that most of them were registered in Saint Petersburg, Dagestan and Chechnya, and that they have been increasing continuously since 2013.

Many victims are assaulted during “fake dates“, such as the case of a trans woman who was attacked in February 2020, according to the agency. Despite this, the same report ensures that small advances in judicial matters, such as several convictions of perpetrators, have taken place.

 

Pansexual and bisexual difference

pansexual

Defining sexuality can be challenging, given that people still disagree on sexual identity and gender basic concepts. Recent studies have shown that sexuality exists on a spectrum. At one end of the spectrum are individuals who feel attracted to people of the opposite gender or binary. It could include a heterosexual female who finds only males attractive. Individuals attracted to people of the same sex or gender fall on the opposite end of the spectrum. Those drawn to multiple genders are somewhere in the middle of the range.

People often use the terms pansexuality and bisexuality interchangeably to describe sexual orientation. Pansexuality refers to attraction to any gender xxx, while bisexuality is an attraction to a specific gender. But the definition of the two terms may vary across people. While the two terms are related, they are distinct concepts.

Here are some of the differences between pansexuality and bisexuality.

Pansexuality

A pansexual refers to a person who feels attracted to any gender. It can include individuals who don’t belong to any gender. Their attraction is more focused on the personality but not the gender. A person with a pansexual orientation can get attracted to individuals who don’t have a gender. A pansexual person may equally find a gender-filled person, male or female attractive. Pansexual people are like heterosexual men who don’t see every woman as attractive. So, identifying as a pansexual doesn’t mean you find everyone attractive.

 

Bisexuality

Different people define bisexuality differently. While some people see themselves as gender-fluid, others base their gender on their biological sex. Some people describe bisexuality as only feeling attracted to a specific gender. But to others, it can mean finding multiple gender identities attractive. But generally, bisexuality identifies with individuals who see more than one gender as attractive. To some people, the world bisexual seems controversial, given that it focuses only on two genders. But most people of the bisexual orientation acknowledge that there are more than two genders.

 

Differences between Pansexuality and Bisexuality

It is widely agreed that pansexuality refers to all genders, while bisexuality is attracted to multiple genders. While the two terms are somehow similar, they are distinct. A pansexual person can find people of any gender attractive. On the other hand, a person who identifies with the bisexual orientation may feel attracted to a male or gender-fluid person but not a female. For both a bisexual and pansexual person, the type of attraction experienced may vary for different genders. For example, a person may feel a sexual attraction to one gender and a romantic attraction to another.

Different people define pansexuality and bisexuality differently. But generally, bisexuality refers to people who find more than one gender attractive. Contrary, people who identify with the pansexual orientation find different people attractive regardless of their gender. The two terms differ because bisexual people only find certain genders attractive. There exists a wide range of sexual orientations. Your sexual identity depends on how you define sex and gender. The debate on sexual identity has changed and will continue to evolve.

 

 

 

Forge: Florida Gender Equality Project

FORGE works to create a safe and productive environment for people of all genders within Florida. FORGE believes in supporting Transgender educational programs, Human Rights Initiatives and advocacy movements that is inclusive for all people.
FORGE will fight discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, economic status, age, ability, ethnicity, shape, size, style, religion, or any other characteristic. We urge those people who have felt traditionally unheard to join us and allow you voice a way to be heard. This is a movement for all, and we refuse to leave no one behind.
FORGE believes in a true grassroots strategy that help creates solutions for the problems of those in most critical need. FORGE is dedicated in bringing transgender and other gender activists, advocates, allies and community members together from across the state to:

• Create a formal statewide network of leaders and advocates committed to gender equality;
• Share local victories and information with others to create a State of the State Report;
• Identify and prioritize the most pressing issues regarding gender equality in Florida; and, Build consensus around a statewide gender education and advocacy strategy.
About FORGE
FORGE believes in a transgender education 
and advocacy movement that includes ALL people.
FORGE will not discriminate based on gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, economic status, age, ability, ethnicity, shape, size, style, religion, or any other characteristic. In fact, we urge those people who have felt traditionally under-represented or unheard to join us. This is a movement for all, and we refuse to leave anyone behind.
FORGE believes in a true grassroots strategy that creates solutions for the problems of those in most critical need.

Guiding Vision
The vision of the Florida Gender Equality Project (FORGE) is to initiate profound and progressive non-violent social change which will result in an end to oppression and violence based on gender identity and expression.
Guiding Mission
The mission of the Florida Gender Equality Project (FORGE) is to build, protect and advance a safe and productive environment for people of all gender identities and expressions by using education and advocacy to create positive change.
FORGE will pursue broad-based transgender initiatives to educate and influence the government, the private sector, other organizations and the general public.
Through our actions, FORGE will uphold human dignity and equal rights for all people regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, sex, age, ethnicity, religion, 
national origin, economic status, nature of employment, disability, marital status, familial status, or any other minority status.