Foreign Agents and Gay Propaganda: Russian Lgbt Rights Activism Under Pressure

This article examines the effects of the 2012 foreign agent law and the 2013 gay propaganda law on LGBT rights activism and the strategies that have been developed by activists in response to increased state resistance. Following the political process model, I identify and assess the factors affecting the LGBT rights movement in Russia. Drawing on data collected from interviews with seven activists, I find that state repression has resulted in declining levels of political opportunity and organizational strength. Simultaneously, activists grapple with internal conflicts that impair collective action. In spite of these obstacles, activists continue to push forward and have developed strategies for circumventing state repression.