Member states can ban religious symbols in public workplaces: European Union top court

Russia Bans , ‘LGBT’ Movement. On Nov. 30, Russia's Supreme Court deemed the "international LGBT public movement" to be an extremist organization, BBC News reports. LGBT activities were banned throughout Russia. The closed-door hearing did not host anyone from "the defendant's side," the court said. Vitaly Milonov, an MP from the ruling party, United Russia, said that the ban was "not about sexual minorities or the private life of individuals.". It's more about the political agenda proclaimed by this LGBT international movement. They have their own tasks, their own goals. They act as a political force, a political structure and the goals of this structure contravene the Russian Constitution, Vitaly Milonov, an MP from the ruling party, United Russia, via BBC News. The BBC's Steve Rosenberg responded by saying, "But there isn't a movement called the 'International LGBT public movement.' How can you ban something that doesn't exist?". Oh, it's easy. We can ban any activities from LGBT international organizations here in Russia. That's nice. We don't need them, Vitaly Milonov, an MP from the ruling party, United Russia, via BBC News. LGBTQ advocates in Russia fear that the new ruling will result in mass arrests and prosecutions. This is real repression. There is panic in Russia's LGBT community. People are emigrating urgently. The actual word we're using is evacuation. We're having to evacuate from our own country. It's terrible. , Sergei Troshin, a municipal deputy in St. Petersburg who came out as gay last year, via statement. I think [the court hearing] is linked to the presidential election next March. [The authorities] are creating an artificial enemy, Sergei Troshin, a municipal deputy in St. Petersburg who came out as gay last year, via statement. President Vladimir Putin, a staunch supporter of "traditional values" in opposition of the West, is expected to soon announce that he will run for another six-year term in March. President Vladimir Putin, a staunch supporter of "traditional values" in opposition of the West, is expected to soon announce that he will run for another six-year term in March