Lena Klimova
Lena Klimova is a journalist based in Nizhny Tagil, and is the author of a series of articles on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) teenagers. In 2013, she set up an online community on Facebook and on the social networking site Vkontakte named Children-404, which provides a space for teenagers to discuss LGBTI issues and support each other. The community also organises online discussions with leaders of the LGBTI movement.
Lena Klimova is the victim of homophobic threats, including death threats, for her peaceful and legitimate human rights work in support of LGBTI teenagers in the Russian Federation.
In April 2013, Parliament adopted a federal law prohibiting “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships” (so-called “propaganda of homosexuality” law) which directly discriminated against Russia's LGBTI community and prohibited any form of advocacy on LGBTI issues. Dozens of LGBTI rights defenders were intimidated and attacked by nationalistic and pro-Kremlin groups, especially during public rallies, and were violently detained and fined by authorities.
