LGBT Faction Begins Work in Russian Opposition Party Peaceful Russia
An LGBT faction held its founding congress on October 22, 2026, within Peaceful Russia, a Russian opposition party operating in exile. Members elected human rights defender Igor Kochetkov, a co-founder of the Russian LGBT Network, as its coordinator. Parni PLUS reported the launch on October 23.
Thirty-six people attended the congress. According to Kochetkov, the faction had 40 members at the time of publication, with further applications arriving. The meeting adopted a manifesto and elected a council: alongside the coordinator, its members are Alexander Belik, Zalina Marshenkulova, Alexander Khmelyov, Evgeny Pisemsky, Violetta Grudina and Svetlana Utkina.
Membership is also open to heterosexual supporters, with no restrictions based on sexual orientation or gender identity. As Kochetkov explained during preparations to establish the faction, it intends to participate in all areas of the party’s work, beyond LGBT issues.
A statement on the party’s channel lists the faction’s goals: combating discrimination, securing legal recognition of gender identity, protecting LGBT teenagers from bullying, and overturning “propaganda” laws and the decision designating the “LGBT movement” as extremist. Other objectives include exonerating those unjustly convicted, investigating crimes against LGBT people and ensuring the secular character of the state.
Kochetkov identified participation in drafting the party’s program as an immediate priority. The party also plans to include issues affecting LGBT refugees in its advocacy work.
Members outlined different expectations in comments to Parni PLUS. Marshenkulova spoke about education and overcoming stereotypes, including within the party. Grudina emphasized political participation and opposed using LGBT rights as bargaining chips. Pisemsky discussed preparing openly LGBT politicians for future work in Russian government institutions.
A member named Vadim proposed drawing on the experience of emigration when developing legislation, including rules on identity documents for nonbinary people. Danila associates the faction’s work with education and public representation, while Konstantin hopes for equal family rights, including the ability to act on a spouse’s behalf and visit him in intensive care.
Peaceful Russia itself was founded in Berlin on June 12–13, 2026. Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin was elected chair. The party opposes the war in Ukraine and aims to participate in political change in Russia; the new faction is one of its internal groupings.
