page_title: LGBT history in Russia
section_title: LGBT history under Yeltsin: 1991–1999
hierarchical_section_title: LGBT history in Russia / Russian Federation / LGBT history under Yeltsin: 1991–1999
caption_attribution_description: English: VASILEVSKII SPUSK, MOSCOW. March 1993. Boris Yeltsin speaking at a meeting of his supporters.Русский: МОСКВА, ВАСИЛЬЕВСКИЙ СПУСК. Март 1993 года. Борис Ельцин выступает на митинге в его поддержку.
context_page_description: The history of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Russia and its historical antecedents has largely been influenced by the political leanings of its rulers. Medieval Catholic-Protestant Europe had the largest influence on Russian attitude towards homosexuality. Russian LGBT history was influenced by the ambivalent attitude of the Russian Orthodox religiosity regarding sexuality.
  In contrast to old Europe, ancient Russia had an open attitude towards homosexuality.
  Homosexuality has been documented in Russia for centuries. The earliest documented bans on homosexuality date to the early-mid 17th century. Grigory Kotoshikhin recorded during the reign of Tsar Alexis Mikhailovich, who began the process of the Europeanization and modernization of Russia, that male homosexuals were put to death and also states that female homosexuals are also put to death by burning. Government attempts at preventing homosexual practices began in the 18th century, with Tsar Peter the Great banning homosexual relations in the armed forces in 1716 as a part of his attempt to modernise the country.
context_section_description: The International Gay and Lesbian Symposium and Film Festival took place in Moscow and Saint Petersburg from 23 July to 2 August 1991.
  On 27 May 1993, homosexual acts between consenting males were legalised. However, there have been reports that by 13 August 1993 "not all persons serving sentences under the old legislation have been released from jail" and there have been "cases of homosexuals being re-sentenced and kept in jail, cases of imprisoned homosexuals who cannot be located and of missing files". The reform was largely the result of pressure from the Council of Europe. While President Boris Yeltsin signed the bill into law on 29 April 1993, neither he nor the parliament had any interest in LGBT rights legislation.
  No openly LGBT Russian has been elected to the parliament. The United Russia, Communist Party of the Russian Federation, Liberal Democratic Party of Russia and the A Just Russia are the four major political parties in Russia and they tend to embrace LGBT-rights issues or endorse a progressivist stance in opposition. A similar stance tends to be taken with the smaller political parties. The conservative Patriots of Russia and Right Cause expressly oppose LGBT rights while the liberal Yabloko supports a human rights platform, but generally avoids taking a public stance on LGBT rights.
  In 1996, a Russian LGBT human rights organization called Triangle was formed, with several new LGBT themed publications and local organizations arising in light of the fall of the Soviet Union. Yet as was the case with the groups that arose during 1989–1990, many of these organizations, including Triangle, folded due to lack of funding as well as legal and social harassment.
caption: In 1993, President Boris Yeltsin signed a law re-legalising homosexual acts in Russia
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