Azerbaijan
Queer activist detained in Azerbaijan for action on International Women’s Day
Rauf Heydarov was remanded to 30 days in pre-trial detention for sharing a poster about the arrest of women journalists in Azerbaijan.
Queer Rights
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Chechnya
ECHR upholds Novaya Gazeta's complaint against threats by Chechen officials
The threats were made over Novaya Gazeta’s coverage of anti-gay purges in Chechnya.
Queer Rights
South Ossetia targets queer ‘propaganda’ with proposed law, citing Hornet and Telegram
South Ossetia’s Interior Ministry reported that the initiative was undertaken following instructions from President Alan Gagloyev.
Azerbaijan
OC Media contributor and Azerbaijani queer activist faces extradition from Turkey
Ali Malikov, an Azerbaijani queer rights activist and OC Media contributor, along with their transgender Azerbaijani friend, have been detained in Turkey after joining a feminist demonstration. They could face deportation from the country. Ali Malikov and their friend Parvin Alakbar were detained in Istanbul after taking part in a march commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November. Alex Shah, an Azerbaijani transgender activist and journ
Azerbaijan
Drag, resistance, and identity: the journey of Azerbaijan’s first drag queen
In Azerbaijan, where queer people are marginalised and forced to express themselves only privately or in the confines of their own homes, there is only one publicly visible drag performer, known by the stage name Lady Slim. For Seymur Babayev, the first drag performer in Azerbaijan, his drag persona Lady Slim is ‘energetic, stage-loving, a little shy, a little cheeky, and a little crazy’. Babayev realised from a young age that he was different from others. He thought differently from ot
2024 Georgian Parliamentary Elections
Georgian officials brace for further sanctions
The threat of further Western sanctions against Georgian officials over democratic backsliding in the country has led to reports of alarm within the ruling Georgian Dream party, weeks ahead of parliamentary elections. On Wednesday, TV channel Formula reported citing confidential sources that bank accounts abroad belonging to the children of Georgian Dream founder and billionaire, Bidzina Ivanishvili, had been limited. TV station Mtavari Arkhi also reported on Wednesday that Ivanishvili h
2024 Georgian Parliamentary Elections
Zourabichvili refuses to sign Georgian queer propaganda law
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has refused to sign the queer propaganda law passed by parliament, nor has she used her presidential powers to veto it. On Wednesday, the presidential administration confirmed to OC Media that the president did not sign the law ‘on protection of family values and minors’. The legislation, passed by parliament on 17 September, would be far-ranging, affecting education, healthcare, media, business, and public gatherings, and would demonstratively prohib
