The Arkhangelsk regional court has delivered a judgment in favour of regional LGBT organization "Rakurs" having obliged the local officials to register it.


Dmitry Bartenev, the lawyer provided by the Inter-regional social movement "Russian LGBT Network", has represented the interest of "Rakurs".


The Administration of the Ministry of Justice refused to register amendments to the organization's Charter after it was modified to openly declare the goal of the organization's work to be defense of LGBT community. The following wording was added to the Charter: defense of human dignity, rights and lawful interests of the victims of homophobia and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, as well as social, psychological and cultural support and adaptation of LGBT people.

In the fact that "Rakurs" stands up for LGBT rights the officials saw "discrimination against heterosexuals", "extremism", and even "fomentation of animosity towards heterosexuals". Moreover in the section of the Charter " which mentions increasing of legal and gender awareness" the officials found "propaganda of homosexuality" which "threatens the sovereignty of the Russian Federation and undermines the foundations of the sacred institute of marriage".

Well-known Russian scientist (PhD, professor, academician of the Russian Academy of Education) Igor Kon in his statement to the court called the refusal of registration of "Rakurs" legally and morally ungrounded, discriminatory and subject to cancellation.

Chairperson of the Interregional social movement "Russian LGBT Network" in which "Rakurs" is a participant stated: "We see this decision as a celebration of justice over prejudices. Gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders are facing violence and discrimination based on prejudices and fears. The goal of such organizations as "Rakurs" is precisely to help people to overcome these fears and make Russian society more unified and safe".


For further information: The European Court of Human Rights is now considering the case of refusal of registration of LGBT organization "Raduzhny Dom" (Rainbow House) in Tyumen.

Officials refused registration several times stating the following reasons for their decision "propaganda of untraditional sexual orientation", "undermining of the security of Russian society and state", "fomentation of social, religious hatred and animosity, which is also a sign of the extremist character of activities".