Russia's Controversial Move: Declaring LGBTQ Movement as 'Extremist'

The Russian Ministry of Justice has filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court seeking to outlaw the LGBTQ "international public movement" and designate it as extremist, in the most severe crackdown on LGBTQ rights in the country to date. The ministry accuses the movement of various signs of extremism and incitement to hatred. The move comes as part of a broader crackdown on liberal-leaning groups following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with the Kremlin ramping up rhetoric about protecting "traditional values". Russia has previously banned LGBTQ "propaganda" and passed laws restricting rights and freedoms for the LGBTQ community.