It’s really a shame. I have always wanted to visit Russia, specifically Moscow and Saint Petersburg. It just is not ever going to happen while they have such repressive laws and treatment of minorities.
There are plenty of places in the world with issues, but Rissia aspires to be seen a modern Western state (or some variation thereof) and it just plain isn’t when it pulls crap like this.
I rather think Russia purposefully aims to be seen as a modern anti-Western state.
Warning: the following statement is extremely sarcastic and not intended to be taken literally. I simply find the circumstances of Tyra Hunter’s death, which is one among far too many, to be so horrifying I can’t talk about it objectively.
It makes sense. Even in the United States trans people risk being mistreated or being denied treatment if they’re in an accident, so the safest course of action is for them to stay off the road.
I think Russia purposefully aims to be seen as a medieval anti-western state. Which is why Fox News is so in love with it.
The government says it is tightening medical controls for drivers because Russia has too many road accidents.
I guess I certainly can’t think of any other reason why Russia would have too many road accidents.
They did basically invent dash cam porn.
Good thing Putin has a chauffeur. He’s mental.
I expect Russia to return Lysenko-Michurinism to the law of the land any day now.
Discourse needs a “horrified by this post” button next to the “like this post” button.
Suggestion: Add bigotry and megalomania to the list of disorders.
Conflict between pro-Western Russians and Slavophiles has a loooong history in Russia. Some Russians would like their society to be much more like Britain, France, etc. Others want things to be completely different and there are all kinds of permutations in between.
Yes, but the key word is modern. Those who think they can cherrypick the parts of modernity they like while avoiding the rest are seriously missing the point. Without real freedom for all you cannot successfully build a modern economy and country. You can build a knockoff and have some aspects of it, but it will be fatally flawed and doomed to collapse sooner than later.
Which does nothing for the marginalized people right now, of course.
Not that I in any way condone the Russian course of action… But you can certainly have a homophobic and minority-oppressing, but otherwise fairly well functioning state. Think United states in the 50s.
The new law only says people with “mental disorders” aren’t allowed a drivers licence. The fact that trans people are on the list is because they’re classified as such by WHO (http://apps.who.int/classifications/icd10/browse/2015/en#/F60-F69) I’m not sure the law is meant to target trans gender people or not, I have no idea. I think it’s just important to know why they are on the list.
“Western” is always a term that rankles me when I hear it, and is a much beloved weasel-word of fascist regimes from Russia to China to Saudi Arabia. “Pro-western” Russians are highly unlikely to be suggesting that minarets be replaced with square towers, and everyone convert to Protestantism, while I’d like to think one can be a Slav without embracing fascism and homophobia.
There is Modern, Liberal, Democratic, and there is not. Japan is always called “Western” because of having all of these things, even though spending 5 minutes in Japan will assure you that you are not in western Europe.
Absolutely, it is possible to repress for awhile, but eventually things start breaking down and you either get better or break apart.
if I recall correctly dissent is the biggest potential “mental disorder” in Russia. Previously they were sent to the gulags, now they’re being denied driver’s licenses. I guess that’s just the start.
Isn’t “being Russian” a mental disorder? I mean, I know I shouldn’t stereotype and all, but…
So, I can’t drive in Saudi Arabia & now Russia. Misogyny & transphobia go hand in hand…
“Crazy Ivan” isn’t just for submarines. 
