Taking on Russia Over Same-Sex Marriage

by Michael A. Jones

categories: Decriminalizing Homosexuality, Gay Marriage, International Gay Rights, LGBT Rights and Politics, Marriage Equality

Published July 22, 2009 @ 07:12AM PT

Talk about David vs. Goliath!  Despite long odds, a lesbian couple is taking on the country of Russia, attempting to get their marriage recognized officially.  It's a daunting task, given that Russia has a history of suppressing LGBT rallies, using state authorities to beat down gay rights activists, and censoring LGBT activities.  But, as one of the women told Radio Free Europe, somebody has to start the push for equal rights sometime.

The background of the story is pretty interesting.  The couple, Irina Fedotova-Fet and Irina Shepitko (the Irinas!), walked down to a Russian marriage registry in May 2009, dressed in contrasting black and white tuxedos.  They were joined by a number of foreign journalists, and when they got to the marriage registry they asked to have their relationship recognized by the state.  And for a few moments at least, the state officially recognized their marriage application (chock it up to confusion by the state's marriage registrar).

But then Russia, being Russia, rescinded their application and has since denied them any possibility of getting married.  Now the women are trying to take their case global.  They are currently looking to travel to Norway or Canada - two countries that currently allow foreign gay and lesbian couples to get married within their borders - get hitched, and then travel back to Moscow and petition the state to recognize their marriage.

It's a well thought out plan, except for the fact that Russia is unlikely to care.  Still, that's not stopping the Irinas.  Here's what Irina Fedotova-Fet told Radio Free Europe:

Somebody has to start it sometime. We are the first real couple to fight for same-sex marriage to be recognized [in Russia]. We hope that we can set a precedent, and that more and more people will follow our example.

The couple is even prepared to take their case to the European Court of Human Rights, if necessary.  And it likely will be.  Despite the fact that Russia decriminalized homosexuality in the early 1990s, a large percentage of the country still considers LGBT rights to be at a minimum taboo, and at most contrary to Russian traditions.

That's slowly changing in some parts, and Russia certainly has an active LGBT rights movement, despite the constant threat of violence they face.  On many levels, that's why it's so heartening to see the Irinas taking such a bold and public stand on the issue of marriage equality.  They may face violence and threats for their action, but they're doing it to ignite a movement and push for equal rights.