Susie Armitage
"Gay Propaganda" Ban Moves One Step Closer To Law In Kyrgyzstan
Update: Kyrgyzstan's lawmakers voted Oct. 15 to advance a bill that could put individuals who spread “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” in prison for up to a year.
Susie Armitage
Lawyer Says Russian Student In U.S. Custody; Kremlin Says Victim Of "Gay Conspiracy"
BuzzFeed News speaks exclusively with the lawyer for an exchange student who Russian officials allege was "illegally" put up for adoption and placed in the custody of a same-sex couple.
J. Lester Feder
26 Family Planning Facts To Celebrate World Contraception Day
We've come a long way, baby. But millions of women who want contraception still don't have access.
Susie Armitage
26 Things Aerialists, Acrobats & Circus Freaks Will Understand
Whether you do silks, lyra, pole or trapeze, you don't have to be in Cirque du Soleil to know #circushurts.
Susie Armitage
8 Russian Cats Who Support Scottish Independence
Scots living outside the country aren't eligible to vote in the historic independence referendum. Neither are cats. But that doesn't mean they can't have opinions.
Susie Armitage
Crimean Leader Promises Crackdown On LGBT People Under Russian Rule
"We don't need such people in Crimea," said Sergei Aksyonov, who leads the Ukrainian region annexed by Russia.
J. Lester Feder
Tech Companies Offer Workers The Most Paid Parental Leave
Any amount of paid maternity or paternity leave is still a luxury for most American workers. But some companies are doing better than others.
Susie Armitage
Russia Sentences Notorious Anti-LGBT Activist To Prison — But Not For Anti-LGBT Attacks
Maxim Sergeyevich Martsinkevich was sentenced to five years in a labor camp, but faced no charges for his infamous videos torturing gay men.
J. Lester Feder
Russians Say Goodbye To Their Favorite Forbidden Foods After Kremlin Ban
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a ban on food imports Wednesday in response to sanctions. "Farewell, jalapeño pepper."
Susie Armitage
We Asked 4 LGBT Refugees About Why They Came To The U.S.
It's better than home, but it's still not home.
Henry Goldman
Meet The Tiny Theatre Taking On Europe's Last Dictatorship
A new documentary about underground political theatre in Belarus feels especially timely with conflict ongoing in Ukraine and Vladimir Putin cracking down on dissent in Russia.
Susie Armitage
Foreigner Found Dead In Crimea In Possible Anti-LGBT Hate Crime
“Most likely the reason for his murder was connected with his non-traditional interests.”
Susie Armitage
University Of Toronto Researcher Detained In Tajikistan
Ph.D candidate Alexander Sodiqov was arrested Monday while conducting research. Updated: Sodiqov is being held by Tajikistan’s state security service in Dushanbe and will face criminal charges, the country's Asia-Plus news agency reported.
Susie Armitage
Russian-Style "Gay Propaganda" Ban Advances In Kyrgyzstan's Parliament
A copycat "gay propaganda" bill has been approved by the Kyrgyz parliament's human rights committee and could be put to a vote by the end of the month.
Susie Armitage
This Gay Russian Couple Is Helping Other LGBT Immigrants Find Their Way In New York
When Oleg Dusaev, a pianist and journalist, and Dmitriy Stepanov, a psychologist, booked tickets from Moscow to New York last October, they planned on taking a vacation. But instead they found themselves starting their lives over in the U.S.
Susie Armitage
The Chaos In East Ukraine Is Hitting LGBT People Particularly Hard
"When local law enforcement bodies have stopped their work or gone over to the side of the separatists, local homophobes have worked their way in."
Susie Armitage
Why World War II Matters So Much To Russians Today
Massive celebrations are taking place across Russia on Friday to commemorate victory in World War II. After the Soviet era, May 9 wasn't always such a big deal — until Russian President Vladimir Putin brought it back.
Susie Armitage
Separatist Pets Are Taking Over The Russian Internet
When the U.S. first announced sanctions against Moscow over the conflict in Ukraine, Russia's pets spoke up. As pro-Russian rebel groups occupy government buildings in eastern Ukraine, cats, dogs, bunnies and even geese are taking sides.
Susie Armitage
The Man Who Created Russia's "Gay Propaganda" Law Thinks Eurovision Is Gay Propaganda
The architect of Russia's "homosexual propaganda" law calls for boycott of the song competition because a drag performer will represent Austria.
J. Lester Feder
Kids Are Taking Photos With Fighters In East Ukraine
Russian-backed separatists are on the march. And on Instagram.
Miriam Berger
Russian Lawmaker Proposes First Sexual Harassment Law
There is a Russian saying, "If he beats you, it means he loves you."
Miriam Berger
Vladimir Putin's LGBT Refuseniks
Attacks on LGBT people in Russia are driving a rise in asylum claims. In November, BuzzFeed documented why activist Viacheslav Revin fled Russia. Now, after nine months in the U.S., he’s still waiting to find out if he can call America his permanent home.
Susie Armitage
Russian Instagram Users Slap Obama With Sanctions Targeting Pets, Bathroom Use
After Russian President Vladimir Putin annexed Crimea, the White House slapped sanctions on several of his closest allies. Russian Instagram users have announced punishing measures in response.
Susie Armitage
How The Rest Of The Former Soviet Union Reacted To Russia Invading Ukraine
The Soviet Union broke up into Russia, Ukraine, and 13 other countries. After Russia's de facto takeover of Crimea, some are having invasion flashbacks. Others haven't commented at all.
Susie Armitage
Amid Fears Of War, Instagram Users #PrayforUkraine
As tensions rise in Ukraine, Instagram users opposed to Russian military intervention are responding under the hashtag #prayforukraine.
Susie Armitage
These Vladimir Putin Tattoos Are Works Of Art
Some create fan art. The truly dedicated offer their bodies as canvas.
Susie Armitage
