Yulia Alyoshina, Russia’s first openly transgender politician, has made the difficult decision to halt her plans of running in the upcoming gubernatorial election in the Altai region. Her candidacy was hindered by the detrimental consequences of Russia’s latest anti-LGBTQ+ bill, which significantly eroded the support required for her registration.
Alyoshina, a representative of the opposition Civil Initiative party, had initially aimed to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights throughout her campaign, strongly opposing the recently proposed legislation that outlaws gender-affirming procedures in the country. This bill received initial approval from Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, on June 14.
The aspiring politician had diligently planned to champion the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, but unfortunately, she encountered difficulties in fulfilling the prerequisite number of signatures needed from members of local municipal councils and village heads. A minimum of 502 signatures was required to enable her participation.
In a Telegram post on Monday, Alyoshina expressed her disappointment, revealing that while 19 council members were initially willing to support her nomination unequivocally, others withdrew their support due to concerns regarding the bill currently under consideration in the Duma. The bill’s looming impact on gender transitioning caused several previously supportive individuals to retract their backing.
Russia’s “municipal filter,” introduced in 2012, mandates that candidates seeking local office collect signatures of support from members of municipal councils. This requirement has faced criticism from civil rights groups, who argue that it enables state officials to obstruct opposition candidates.
Over the past decade, Russia’s LGBTQ+ community has faced mounting pressure, with President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church leading a campaign to preserve what they perceive as the country’s “traditional values.” The proposed anti-LGBTQ+ bill aims to ban any “medical interventions aimed at changing the sex of a person,” including the ability to change one’s gender on official documents and public records.
As the bill progresses through the State Duma, where it must undergo three readings, its passage seems inevitable. The overwhelming support from approximately 400 out of the 450-seat house, including the house speaker and leaders of all political factions, leaves little doubt regarding its approval.
The plight of Yulia Alyoshina highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Russia’s LGBTQ+ community, as they strive to secure equal rights and recognition within the nation’s political landscape. The reverberations of this anti-LGBTQ+ bill underscore the urgent need for continued advocacy and support for LGBTQ+ rights in Russia and beyond.
