"Russian Crackdown: Fines and Jail Time for LGBTQ+ Symbols"

Russian authorities have begun penalizing individuals under a Supreme Court ruling that labeled LGBTQ+ activism as extremism, with at least three people receiving jail time or fines for displaying rainbow-colored items. The crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Russia has persisted for over a decade, with the government adopting laws restricting LGBTQ+ rights, including a ban on same-sex marriage and propaganda of "nontraditional sexual relations." This recent escalation reflects the increasingly conservative stance on LGBTQ+ issues in the country, with President Vladimir Putin emphasizing "traditional family values" as a cornerstone of his rule.