Russia Gay Events & Hotspots
Gay Country Rank: 183/193
In Russia, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (lgbtq+) people face legal and social challenges not experienced by others. Although sexual activity between same-sex couples has been legal since 1993, homosexuality is disapproved of by most Russians, and same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are ineligible for the legal protections available to opposite-sex couples. Russia provides no anti-discrimination protections for lgbtq+ people, nor does it prohibit hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Transgender people are allowed to change their legal gender without requiring sex reassignment surgery; however, there are currently no laws prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity or expression, and recent laws could discriminate against transgender residents. Homosexuality has been declassified as a mental illness and although gay and lesbian individuals are legally not allowed to serve openly in the military, there is a de facto policy.
Russia has long held strongly negative views regarding homosexuality, with recent polls indicating that a majority of Russians are against the acceptance of homosexuality and have shown support for laws discriminating against homosexuals. Despite receiving international criticism for the recent increase in social discrimination, crimes, and violence against homosexuals, larger cities such as Moscow and Saint Petersburg have been said to have a thriving lgbtq+ community. However, there has been a historic resistance to gay pride parades by local governments; despite being fined by the European Court of Human Rights in 2010 for interpreting it as discrimination, the city of Moscow denied 100 individual requests for permission to hold Moscow Pride through 2012, citing a risk of violence against participants.
Since 2006, regions in Russia have enacted varying laws restricting the distribution of materials promoting lgbtq+ relationships to minors; in June 2013, a federal law criminalizing the distribution of materials among minors in support of non-traditional sexual relationships was enacted as an amendment to an existing child protection law. The law has resulted in the numerous arrests of Russian lgbtq+ citizens publicly opposing the law and there has reportedly been a surge of anti-gay protests, violence, and even hate crimes. It has received international criticism from human rights observers, lgbtq+ activists, and media outlets and has been viewed as a de facto means of criminalizing lgbtq+ culture. The law was ruled to be inconsistent with protection of freedom of expression by the European Court of Human Rights but as of 2021 has not been repealed.
In a report issued on 13 April 2017, a panel of five expert advisors to the United Nations Human Rights Council—Vitit Muntarbhorn, Sètondji Roland Adjovi; Agnès Callamard; Nils Melzer; and David Kaye—condemned the wave of torture and killings of gay men in Chechnya.
Gay Moscow is definitely a place worth experiencing. If you are looking for a more mixed nightlife, this is the place to go. Although Moscow may not have many clubs dedicated to gay people only, they have some of the best gay nights at the hottest clubs in Russia. Don’t let the stigma of Russia’s rigid political ideals sway you away from this lively city. The locals are always down to blow off some steam, so make sure to check out some of the cruising areas as well!
It’s best to avoid openly displaying your sexuality. Don’t hold hands in public or display any outward shows of affection, especially in cities and towns outside of St Petersburg and Moscow, and don’t wear 'openly out apparel' (pride badges, rainbow flags etc.. It is not advisable to discuss anti gay laws and attitudesin public or with people you don’t know.
You should have no problem booking a double room for a same sex couple in a large city hotel although the further you get from St Petersburg and Moscow, the more staff eyebrows will rise. Avoid pro-lgbtq+ protests, demonstrations and marches as these are magnets for far right groups; don’t expect protection from police or security services attending these events.
If you are checking out the scene in Moscow or St Petersburg be careful when you’re leaving a premises, especially at night. Book a taxi with a trusted firm in advance and be sure to arrange a safe place to pick up and drop off. Basically, if you are looking to investigate Moscow’s and St Petersburg’s gay scenes be discreet and don’t take risks when it comes to partying or meeting people that you don’t know.
Read the British Government’s lgbtq+ foreign travel advice.
lgbtq+ TRAVEL IN RUSSIA
Russia is vast, and attitudes vary across its expanse as much as the landscape. Sightseeing with a small group in Moscow and St Petersburg will bring you into close contact with urban Russians, while on cruises around Russia’s Far East, you’ll encounter little more than Arctic wildlife. Taking the Trans Siberian Railway will take you across remote tundra, of course – but it will also place you in close proximity to Russians living and working in rural areas, who use the train to commute and visit family. For same sex couples considering this as a holiday, it’s definitely best to have an open and honest chat with your tour company to gauge their opinions.
It’s completely understandable that many lgbtq+ – and non-lgbtq+ – travellers would be keen to boycott Russia. However, we don’t believe anyone should ever be prevented from exploring a country as a result of their gender or sexual preferences. If you do want to visit, don’t be put off.
Do your research; talk to tour operators. All of our tour operators are lgbtq+ friendly and they will be the best people to speak to regarding staying safe and travelling with confidence in Russia. Companies should ensure that accommodation owners, especially outside St Petersburg and Moscow, are happy to host a same sex couple sharing a double room prior to booking. Finding out more about local culture and traditional customs is fundamental to having a deeper travelling experience, wherever you are in the world, and Russia is no different. Learn a few key phrases before you leave and tailor a tour to include a gay-friendly local guide or join a small guided group. Your tour operator, and guide, will be able to tell you where’s safe to visit and where is safer avoiding – Chechnya, for instance. If you’re not sure about accommodation or if a situation makes you uncomfortable, an emergency contact number, to someone that you trust, can be invaluable.