The LGBTQ+ community in Russia has been under pressure for years, but the situation has worsened since the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine.

Russia’s Supreme Court has effectively outlawed LGBTQ+ activism, in the most drastic step against advocates of gay, lesbian and transgender rights in the increasingly conservative country.

Russian lawmakers have given initial approval to a bill that would severely restrict gender-affirming medical care and prevent making any changes in reference to gender on official documents.