A Russian official recently resigned after facing accusations of being in a relationship with a man. He has since fled the country and spoken out against Moscow’s war on Ukraine.
The controversy started when State Duma deputy Alexander Khinshtein publicly exposed Denis Leontovich, linking him to a supposed “secret gay lobby” that Khinshtein claimed influences young Russians. This comes in the wake of Russia’s Supreme Court declaring international LGBT movements as “extremist,” putting anyone associated with LGBTQ+ lifestyles at risk of prosecution.
Leontovich, now 23, shared on social media his ordeal of being forced into exile due to threats he received. He highlighted the discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Russia, stating that he has had to start anew in a different country because of his sexual orientation.
He condemned the Russian government for labeling peace advocates as enemies while allowing the president to engage in unwarranted wars. This incident sheds light on the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Russia amidst ongoing political turmoil.