In a message marking International Women’s Day, Valentina Matviyenko, the head of Russia’s upper house of parliament, launched a fierce attack on sexual minorities, stating that Russia will not engage in “dangerous gender games.” The celebration of Women’s Day is one of Russia’s most beloved holidays, with officials and politicians sending effusive wishes to women.
However, any expression of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender lifestyle is nearly impossible in Russia, which bans the distribution of materials on non-traditional relationships and the promotion of homosexual relationships to children. Human rights activists argue that the gay propaganda law is broadly applied to intimidate Russia’s LGBT community.
Matviyenko, a staunch ally of President Vladimir Putin, stated that while there are people with gender “anomalies,” the “tyranny of minorities” cannot happen. Men and women are the biological, social, and cultural backbones of communities, she wrote in a blog on the Council’s website.