Homophobia is transporting Russia back in time to the late 1800s and early 1900s, the era of racial issues in America. With the legalization of several gay rights, it seemed that Russia had begun to accept the LGBT community into its society. But violent and repressive actions against homosexuals and their supporters have shown that Russia is not becoming more tolerant towards gays. It is not certain whether Russians consider gays as human beings. The current state of Russia's homophobia problem is starting to spiral out of control. Given Russia's checkered history with the LGBT community, it is nearly impossible to predict whether or not Russia will accept or kill gay people. Based on the current situation, it looks like the former will start to happen. Russia must stop discrimination against gays and learn to accept that everyone is different. Russia's history with the LGBT community oscillates between banning them, killing them, and accepting them. Before the Russian Revolution, Russia was very negative towards gays. In the early to mid-1600s, Tsar Alexis Mikhailovich had male homosexuals put to death and female homosexuals burned. In 1716, Tsar Peter the Great banned homosexual relations in the armed forces. In 1832, further laws were enacted criminalizing certain sexual acts between two males. After the Revolution, from 1917 to 1933, Russia became more tolerant of gays. Inessa Armand has publicly supported feminism and free love, but has never really been concerned with LGBT rights. Although the LGBT community faced censorship, Russians simply accepted gays. Under and after Josef Stalin's rule, which lasted from 1933 to 1991, Russia once again became hostile toward gays. In 1933, Article 121 was added to the Penal Code. Article 1...... middle of paper ...... helped the LGBT community by wearing rainbow clothing at the Sochi Olympic Games. The demonstrations also help increase support for Russia's LGBT community. On the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, which is celebrated on May 17, numerous demonstrations and protests take place. In September 2007, same-sex “kissing” events took place in 50 cities around the world to protest Russia's anti-gay laws. Russia's intolerance for the LGBT community has made many countries and people concerned about the safety of all non-heterosexuals living there. Although past actions have suggested that Russia may be cozying up to gay people, events in recent years have made it clear that Russia is once again homophobic. Through a combination of anti-gay laws and torture of gays, the Russians have shown the world that they are headed down a path of intolerance towards the LGBT community..