March 4, 2026 — The media organization Doberman Media (Doberman.media) has officially signed a statement issued by the Platform of Russian Democratic Forces at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in support of Russia’s queer community. This move follows a Saint Petersburg court’s decision on March 3, 2026, to designate the “Coming Out” (Vykhod) group as an “extremist” organization and ban its activities.
Context and Objectives of the Statement Signatories of the document, including Doberman Media, view the ban on human rights organizations as part of a broader strategy for the “systematic destruction of civil society” in Russia. The statement emphasizes that such repressions deprive vulnerable groups of essential legal and psychological assistance.
According to the Platform, the Russian authorities are using criminalization mechanisms to:
- Establish totalitarian practices and a mandatory state ideology under the guise of “traditional values”.
- Strip citizens of their personal autonomy and dignity.
- Create an artificial societal rift by stigmatizing “other” groups.
A Threat to All of Society Doberman Media shares the concerns expressed in the statement that the persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals serves as a “testing ground” for repressive mechanisms that will later be applied to other ethnic, religious, or socio-political groups. The authors describe this as a strategy of governing the country through the deliberate division of society.
Call to the International Community Through this signed document, the organization joins the call for international institutions to:
- Recognize the persecution of LGBTQ+ people in Russia as politically motivated.
- Develop emergency response and protection mechanisms for activists.
- Increase humanitarian support and urgent aid programs for those continuing to work under extreme pressure.
Editorial Commitment The editorial policy of Doberman.media, which employs experienced journalists and activists such as Sergey Gortov, is dedicated to expanding visibility and supporting the Russian-speaking LGBTQ+ community. By signing this statement, Doberman Media reaffirms its commitment to human rights and solidarity with those defending human dignity in Russia despite the ongoing threats.