ECtHR's decision does not smooth situation of gays in Sochi

The decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to recognize as unlawful the Russian authorities' refusal to register organizations of LGBT activists in a number of Russian cities, including Sochi, will allow creating such communities in Russia, says one of the plaintiffs. Sochi is one of the cities where sexual minorities do not feel safe, report members of the LGBT community.

In 2013, activist Nikolai Alekseev challenged the decision of the Sochi administration, which banned a procession and picket of LGBT activists. On July 16, 2019, the European Court of Human Rights declared as discriminatory the Russian authorities' refusal to register the "Sochi Pride House", an organization of LGBT activists.

According to Nikolai Alekseev, the "Sochi Pride House" does not conduct any activities, since it was created for the period of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games to draw public attention to the problems of LGBT people in Russia. The activist treats Sochi as a city that does not accept LGBT people.

Members of the LGBT community in Sochi have told the "Caucasian Knot" that they feel unprotected, so they keep their sexual orientation in secret.

"I'm gay. I do not tell anyone about that, neither to my parents, nor to colleagues at work. In Sochi, same-sex couples face danger while dating, and they have nowhere to come," said young man Sergey.

Woman Olesya has said that she lives together with her girlfriend, and they have been running a joint household for five years already. The woman would like to register her relationship, but it is not possible. "We have to keep in secret our relationship, otherwise we will lose everything. The society does not accept same-sex marriages. It is very difficult morally," the woman said.