Russia's LGBT Community on Edge as Supreme Court Considers 'Extremist' Label

Russia's LGBTQ community is concerned that a court ruling on Thursday may label them as "extremists," leading to arrests and prosecutions for advocating for gay and transgender rights. The justice ministry has requested the Supreme Court to recognize the "international LGBT social movement" as extremist and ban its activities, citing signs of extremist orientation without providing examples. This move is part of a series of restrictive measures against sexual orientation and gender identity in Russia. LGBTQ activists fear that the designation will result in criminal cases and curtailment of support services, potentially leading to dire consequences for the community.