Paper found in a search can become evidence: keep it carefully.

LGBTQ+ people in danger

Right now

Demand a lawyer and invoke art. 51 of the Constitution if detained.
Make accounts private and remove rainbow symbols from public profiles.
Keep a lawyer's number on paper.

Only for people who are now in: GeorgiaWrite to Equality Movement Another country: who helps (4)

Draft: not yet checked by a lawyer

The guides below are drafts: a lawyer has not reviewed them yet. This is not legal advice.

Draft What human rights defenders advise

LGBTQ+ in Russia after the 'movement' was declared extremist

Human rights groups advise removing rainbow symbols from public profiles, making accounts private, leaving VK and not reposting initiatives' material. Don't send money to LGBT initiatives from Russia from any card: it can be treated as financing extremism.
What is punished: public display of symbols (a fine or up to 15 days' arrest, art. 20.3 CAO); 'participation in an extremist organisation' (up to 6 years, art. 282.2 CC); organising and financing (more).
Be careful with dates: set-ups via apps and raids on clubs are known. Before a party, keep a lawyer's number on paper and agree who to alert if you're detained.
If detained: invoke art. 51 of the Constitution, ask for a lawyer, don't unlock your phone. In the North Caucasus, if threatened by family or police, contact NC SOS. NC SOS was designated 'extremist' in Russia in 2026, but the group says asking it for help does not count as taking part in its activities. Write from a device that is not checked.
Where to turn: Sphere (foreign agent), SK SOS ('extremist' in Russia); abroad: Quarteera ('undesirable' in Russia). Contact them from a device that is not checked. Psychological support: Sphere, First Line.

Designations of organisations in this guide: Sphere (foreign agent, "LGBT movement" designated extremist); North Caucasus SOS Crisis Group (foreign agent, extremist); Quarteera (undesirable). Contacting them carries a risk: do not write from a phone that may be seized, and do not repost their materials.

current as of 26 September 2026. More: First Department: staying safe as an LGBT person (foreign agent); First Department: going to an LGBT party (foreign agent); OVD-Info: raids on clubs and bars (extremist)

Who helps

4 organisations · contacts checked against the organisations' sites 26 September 2026

Where you are nowAllRussiaGeorgiaEU

Shows those who help where you are now. The choice works only on your screen.

Equality Movement

The largest LGBTQ+ community organisation in the South Caucasus: lawyer, psychologist, social worker, doctor, HIV testing.

Georgia has had an anti-'LGBT propaganda' law since 2024. The latest publication on the site is from May 2026 (annual report); check that services are running.

Georgia

Get in touch equality.ge

Quarteera

Association of Russian-speaking LGBTQ+ people in Germany: advice for refugees, community and support.

Designated 'undesirable' in Russia. If you travel to Russia, contacting it or joining its events can lead to prosecution, so check with a lawyer.

Germany undesirable

Get in touch quarteera.de

Sphere

Legal, psychological (up to 4 free sessions with a psychologist) and emergency help for LGBTQ+ people from Russia.

The 'LGBT movement' is designated 'extremist' in Russia. Contact Sphere from a device that is not checked.

The only official bot is @spherehelpbot. It never asks for money or SMS codes.

in Russia and abroad "LGBT movement" designated extremist+ foreign agent

Get in touch

The organisation itself is not designated, but in Russia the 'LGBT movement' is designated 'extremist', and the authorities may present help to LGBT people as taking part in it. Messages on a phone that may be seized are dangerous. Write from a device you would not hand over if detained.

I understand the risk, continue

Other ways to reach them: website

@spherehelpbot

North Caucasus SOS Crisis Group

Evacuates LGBTQ+ people, their loved ones and women threatened by their families from Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan; shelter, doctors, psychologists, lawyers.

Designated 'extremist' in Russia in summer 2026. The group says asking it for help does not count as taking part in its activities. It no longer has staff or volunteers inside Russia.

The only official bot is @sksos_helpbot. It never asks for money or SMS codes.

North Caucasus and abroad extremist+ foreign agent

Get in touch

This organisation is designated 'extremist' in Russia. It says that a consultation is not participation in its work, but messages on a phone that may be seized and reposts of its materials are dangerous. Write from a device you would not hand over if detained.

I understand the risk, continue

Other ways to reach them: sksos.org · help@sksos.org

@sksos_helpbot

Need a lawyer

In Russia, lawyers are found by First Department (foreign agent) and Solidarity Zone (foreign agent). Lawyers abroad known for defending political cases: list of lawyers →