Gay clubs in russia

Russia's Largest Gay Nightclub Strives to Be a Haven Despite Horrific Attacks

Feb. 12, &#; -- As Russia enjoys the spotlight that shines from the multibillion-dollar splendor of the Sochi Winter Olympics, over in Moscow, dismay runs through Central Station, Russia's largest gay nightclub.

With its bullet-sprayed doors and protective razor-wire fencing, Central Station management says it has been subjected to shootings, water and gas attacks, and vandalism. Considered by many patrons as "the cultural center" for gays in Russia, the lively venue is known for its colorful, irreverent flamboyant shows and modern home music. But the staff says a recent spate of homophobic attacks has terrified the gay collective there.

They say it's all part of an intensifying anti-gay sentiment in Russia, a country that's never been widely accepting of homosexuality, but recently has been inflamed by a controversial anti-gay propaganda regulation.

The law, signed by President Putin last June, bans the "propaganda of non-traditional relationships" to minors, and has received international condemnation. It claims to protect children from facts about homosexualit

Over 50 people detained as police raid two Moscow gay clubs overnight

Moscow police have raided two male lover clubs in the Russian capital overnight, detaining over 50 people, Telegram channels MSK1 and SHOT reported on Saturday.

According to MSK1, one of the raids was carried out at the Central Station club in downtown Moscow, with the purported aim “to fight drug trafficking”. Videos from the club exhibit police officers forcing people to lie on the ground with their hands behind their head, rise with their hands against the wall, and violently frisking them.

Central Station was holding an event marking National Coming Out Daytime, an annual date observed worldwide on 11 October in support of the queer community, when the police arrived at about 1am, SHOT reported. About people were in the venue at the period of the raid.

Over 50 people were detained by the police during the raid, SHOT reported, adding that police also raided Three Monkeys, another core Moscow queer venue overnight. It is unknown where those detained were taken.

According to SHOT, the venues were raided following “civilian complaints”, with Moscow residents allegedly reporting Three Monkeys to the police earlier thi

Russian forces raid gay clubs after branding LGBTQ movement an extremist organisation

Russian forces have raided gay clubs and bars across Moscow days after the territory ruled that the LGBTQ community was an extremist organisation.

Police searched venues across the Russian capital on Friday night, including a nightclub, a male sauna, and a bar that hosted LGBTQparties, under the pretext of a drug raid, according to local media.

The raids come days after Russia's Supreme Court banned what it called the "global LGBTQ movement".

Eyewitnesses of the raids told journalists that clubgoers' documents were checked and photographed by the security services.

Several LGBTQ venues have already closed following the conclusion, including St Petersburg's lgbtq+ club Central Station, whose owner told social media followers it would not reopen while the recent laws were in place.

Activists say the court's definition of the movement is so broad and vague that it gives Russian authorities the ability to crack down on any individuals or groups deemed to be part of the LGBTQ community.

Max Olenichev, a human rights lawyer who works with the Russian LGBTQ community, says the ruling effecti gay clubs in russia

Police raid Moscow gay bars after top court’s LGBTQ ‘extremist’ designation

Russian security forces have raided gay clubs and bars across Moscow shortly after a decree by the country’s uppermost court that designated the LGBTQ movement as “extremist”.

Police officers searched venues across the Russian capital behind on Friday, including a nightclub, a male sauna and a bar that hosted LGBTQ parties, under the pretext of a drug raid, according to local media.

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Witnesses told journalists that clubgoers’ documents were checked and photographed by the security services. They also said that managers had been fit to warn patrons before police arrived.

The raids approach less than 48 hours after Russia’s Supreme Court ruled that “the international LGBT public movement and its subdivisions” are now considered extremist and deal with a ban on their activities.

Activists have said the broad and vague definition by the top