Russian LGBT Network Declared Extremist, Closes

The Saint Petersburg City Court declared the 'Russian LGBT Network' an extremist organization, reports the First Department.

Consensus

• The Russian LGBT Network was declared an extremist organization.
• The Saint Petersburg City Court made the decision in April 2026.
• The organization announced its closure.
• The closure was due to risks of criminal prosecution for activists and those who sought help.
• The organization had existed since 2006.
• The organization was the largest in Russia advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.
• The organization's social media accounts will be deleted.
• The decision followed the 2021 inclusion of the organization in the register of 'foreign agents'.
• The broader context includes the 2023 Supreme Court ruling that declared the nonexistent 'International LGBT Movement' extremist.

Points of divergence

• The court considered the protection of LGBTQ+ rights and monitoring activities as extremist. — tg_currenttime
• This was the sixth such ruling in recent weeks, indicating a pattern of mass rulings. — tg_astrapress
• The case was heard in closed session. — tg_echoonline_news

Coverage (11 sources)

• Russian LGBT network recognized as extremist organization — Настоящее Время
• Public organization "Russian LGBT-network" announced its closure — Север.Реалии
• Public organization "Russian LGBT Network" announced its closure — Сибирь.Реалии
• Russian LGBT network recognized as 'extremist organization' This is reported by 'First Department' citing the decision of the Saint Petersburg City Court... — ASTRA
• Russian LGBT network announced closure due to 'extremist' status — ЭХО / Новости
• Public organization "Russian LGBT-network" announced its closure — Радио Свобода
• Russian LGBT Network Announces Cessation of Operations — SOTAvision
• Russian LGBT network announces closure — Дождь
• «Russian LGBT Network» announces closure. In April, the court declared the organization «extremist» — Meduza
• «Russian LGBT Network» closes due to «extremist» status. It protected the rights of LGBT people in Russia for 20 years — Бумага
• «Russian LGBT Network» announces closure — Дождь (Telegram)

Key entities

• Russian LGBT Network
• Saint Petersburg City Court
• Public Organization "Russian LGBT Network"
• First Department
• Russia
• LGBT-network
• LGBT people
• St. Petersburg City Court
• Russian LGBT Network
• Public Movement «Russian LGBT Network»