Recently, the LGBTQ community has been pressuring Russia to look into the alleged detention centers in Chechnya where they are detaining and killing gay men. However, even if a federal investigation does ensue, it is unlikely much will be done about it. Although Russia does not outwardly ban the LGBTQ community, they (not so discreetly) outlawed non-traditional sexual relationships among minors. Hence why many people of the LGBTQ community find the claims of detention centers plausible.
Maksim, a gay man who reportedly was arrested by officers in Chechnya was interviewed by The New York Times. He was to meet at his friend's apartment; the friend was also gay. However, when he arrived agents were there to interrogate him. They electrocuted him in hopes that he would confess the names of other gay men. Maksim did not. He is lucky to still be alive today.
Tatyana Vinnichenko, chair of the Russian LGBT network in Russia, stated that 60 people had called her saying that they were being held captive in detention centers. Some were being killed while others were tortured for information on other gay men. It has been reported that men have been escaping and returning to their families after days of not being heard from. Unfortunately, returning home is not synonymous with being safe from persecution. Two men were killed by their families when they returned as a display of honor for Chechnya and their religion. The Russian LGBT network has helped save some of these men, yet it is hard to believe that even with this concrete evidence, Chechnya has yet to be federally investigated.
The Chechnya leader, Ramzan Kadyrov has met with Putin; yet nothing came to fruition from the meeting except denial and homophobic rhetoric. "If such people existed in Chechnya," Ramzan Kadyrov stated in his meeting with Putin, "law enforcement would not have to worry about them since their own relatives would have sent them to where they could never return." It is clear from Kadyrov's certainty that homophobia runs deep within the Chechnya community.
Though it is clear to many that homophobia runs rampant throughout Russia, Russia's negligence to investigate claims of unlawful detainment within their country is absurd and disturbing. Because Russia's government has yet to get involved, it is unlikely that the United States or other countries of influence will step in any time soon.
However, just because our government has yet to help, doesn't mean you can't. Consider donating to a human rights group or LGBTQ group in Russia; Write to large oil companies who have ties with Russia, explaining what is going on. Every bit of help counts and is desperately needed by the gay and bi men in Chechnya.
