Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008. He was also the Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012.
As Russia Attacks Ukraine's Western Values, LGBTQ+ People Stand as a Target
newsweek.comUkraine has taken significant steps over the past decade to better the lives of its queer citizens. In 2015 it implemented anti-discrimination employment laws, and in 2016 it began allowing gay and bisexual men to donate blood, all part of an effort to become a more equitable state.In contrast, Russia has moved in the opposite direction.
In 2013, it banned same-sex couples from adopting Russian children, and in 2020 it outlawed same-sex marriage. The Kremlin has also cracked down on the ability of LGBTQ+ activists to organize, and has permitted law enforcement in the Chechnya region to carry out violent campaigns against the community."There are a lot of reasons to be concerned about the Ukrainian people generally, but particularly marginalized communities like the LGBTQ+ community," Democratic Congressman David Cicilline, who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and chairs the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, told Newsweek."Vladimir Putin commonly makes references to LGBTQ+ people not being welcome in Russia and other disparaging comments about the community," he added, "so it's a very big difference."Cicilline notes that many of Ukraine's pro-LGBTQ+ actions in recent years are part of a promotion of democratic values designed to make it a more attractive candidate for NATO membership.
Last November, the U.S. and Ukraine signed a Charter on Strategic Partnership that "confirmed the importance" of advancing the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.Prior to signing this declaration, Cicilline said Ukraine had for years been building up its LGBTQ+ civil society and promoting the community's public visibility through providing protection against opposition groups who looked to disrupt Pride events.Bogdan Globa, who heads the.
