The court has declared the LGBTQ+ group “Vyhod” an extremist organisation.

The St Petersburg City Court has granted the Ministry of Justice’s request to ban the activities of the LGBTQ+ group “Vyhod” (“Coming Out”). This was reported by the city’s courts press service.

The case was heard behind closed doors.

“We have been preparing for this turn of events for a long time. We have strengthened security, established resilient working formats, and we continue to act responsibly, above all for those who rely on us. <…> We will be by your side for as long as needed,” the organisation itself commented on the decision.

“Vyhod” offers free psychological, legal, career and other consultations for LGBTQ+ people. It is also engaged in educational activities. The entire “Vyhod” team left Russia as a group back in 2022. Its former director, Alexander Voronov, was arrested in absentia in a criminal case involving alleged failure to comply with the “foreign agent” law (part 2, Article 330.1 of the Criminal Code).

The Ministry of Justice is also seeking to have the “LGBT Network,” the largest interregional movement in Russia defending LGBTQ+ rights, declared an extremist organisation. Today, the court will also continue hearings in that case.

• On 30 November 2023, the Supreme Court of Russia declared the non-existent “International LGBT Public Movement” an extremist organisation. This ruling has been used as grounds to prosecute LGBTQ+ people and Russians linked with queer culture under criminal articles on extremist organisations. There have been reports of criminal cases against queer people, drag artists, staff and managers of bars, clubs and other businesses that law enforcement have associated with LGBTQ+ activities.