LEGAL INFORMATION

Legal History

Consensenting sexual acts between adult men were decriminalised in Russia in 1993 under Boris Yeltsin Presidency. Consenting sexual acts between adult women have never been explicitly criminalised. Historically, male sex relations ware criminalized by Stalin in 1934 after they were de facto decriminalized by Lenin in 1917.
 
In 1999, homosexuality stopped to be considered as a mental illness by the Russian Psychiatrists.
 
Although there have been several attempts to re-criminalised homosexuality and propaganda of homosexuality in the last five years, many saw it as a pure PR action from their initiators. Membership of Russia in the Council of Europe does not allow such action.
 
The first ever Gay Pride in Russia took place in Moscow on May 27th, 2006. It was closer to be a "Russian Stonewall" than a marche for Human Rights.

Discrimination

Russian legislation does not explicitly prohibits sexual orientation discrimination.

Sexual intercourses

The age of sexual consent in Russia according to Article 134 of the Criminal Code is set at 16. The person, who reached the age of 18 can be criminally prosecuted for sexual relations with the person who did not reach the age of 16.
 
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child signed in 2000 demands that participating states criminalize any activity, connected with prostitution and pornography with the participation of children under the age of 18. In the light of International Law and due to the fact that many western democratic countries set 18 as the minimum age for offering sexual services for money we warn you against having sex for money in Russia with persons under the age of 18.
 
You will not be prosecuted in Russia if the person you pay to is over 16 years old but you might be prosecuted in your own country if the information is transferred to the law enforcing authorities of your state. Paying for sex in Russia is not a criminal offence provided you comply with the age requirements. Though it is an administrative offence to receive money for sexual services with a fine as a maximum punishment.

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