Report: Russia Planning to Compile Database of LGBTQ Citizens

In a further escalation of its persecution of LGBTQ people as “extremists,” Russia is reportedly considering compiling an electronic database to identify and monitor its queer citizens.

Government Proposal to Track LGBTQ Citizens

According to local publication Meduza, Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs proposed launching “a large-scale system for registering LGBTQ people” last year.

The follows the Russian Supreme Court’s November 2023 decision to classify the “international LGBT movement” as an “extremist organisation.”

Under this ruling, participating in an extremist organisation can result in up to 12 years in prison. Displaying symbols associated with these groups carries penalties ranging from up to 15 days in detention for a first offence to up to four years in prison for a second offence.

According to ILGA-Europe, the ruling could lead to the imprisonment of individuals for activism, sharing information about LGBTQ rights, or simply voicing support for equality.

Surveillance and Record-Keeping

United Russia party member Dmitry Chukreev told Meduza that police are already recording incidents involving LGBTQ individuals.

“[Police] records have been kept since the Supreme Court ruling came into force,” he said, adding, “Everyone is being recorded and put on record.”

A source in the Internal Affairs Ministry revealed that the proposed database could be made public, allowing individuals to check if a friend or neighbour is listed. “Administrative violations in the relevant areas should be visible there, for example, fines for ‘gay propaganda,’” the source explained.

There is no confirmation that a full-scale database is being implemented yet, with the source stating that “there is no money or personnel to create and maintain the database.”

However, Meduza reports that some Russian security forces are monitoring individuals already identified as LGBTQ, including questioning doctors who assist transgender individuals and conducting home visits.

Crackdown on LGBTQ Rights Intensifies

In 2023, President Vladimir Putin signed a bill outlawing gender-affirming healthcare and banning changes to gender markers on official documents. In November 2024, Russia also passed legislation prohibiting the adoption of Russian children by individuals in countries that allow gender transition.

These measures build on Russia’s long-standing anti-LGBTQ policies, including the 2013 federal law criminalising the “promotion” of “non-traditional” sexual relationships in the media and in any public context.

Raids and Violence Against LGBTQ People

Late 2024 saw an increase in raids on LGBTQ-friendly venues. Security forces targeted gay bars and clubs in Moscow, arresting patrons and staff.

In the same period, police arrested Andrei Kotov, the director of a travel agency, accusing him of organising LGBTQ tours—deemed “extremist” activities. Reports indicate that he was tortured with a stun gun while in custody. Less than a month later, authorities claimed he had died by suicide while in detention.