Annual reports on our work

2025 has shown how quickly the environment around us can change. In various countries, restrictions targeting LGBTQ+ people are growing, hate speech is increasing, and cases of pressure and violence have become more frequent. Our work is becoming more difficult both because of funding cuts and because of broader societal fatigue around human rights issues. Yet it is precisely in such periods that the purpose of “Coming out” becomes especially clear. Looking back at the year’s results, we see, first and foremost, people. Those whom...

The year 2024 was a challenge for LGBTQ+ people in Russia. After the Supreme Court’s ban of the “LGBT-movement” as “extremist,” repression escalated—activists face prosecution, safe spaces shut down, and support services are dismantled. Many have been forced to flee or go underground. Human rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists who openly support the LGBTQ+ community are under threat. Even ordinary social media posts can now lead to persecution. Despite this, Coming Out continues its work. We have adapted to new realities: established secure communication channels,...

In 2023, Coming Out continued helping everyone who asked for help and fighting discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in Russia. We have been growing, almost doubling the total number of consultations. However, there were some setbacks, too. For example, the extremism law forced us to cancel support groups and peer-to-peer consulting for trans people. Every bit of work brings us closer to achieving our mission – to help LGBTQ+ people feel safer in Russia. For example, the psychological support team helps queer people to cope with...