The Psychological and Legal Weight of State Labelling

In the current socio-political climate of Russia, a name is no longer just a personal identifier; it has become a battleground for the state’s efforts to control and marginalise civil society. The phrase ‘Don’t call me by my name’ has resonated deeply within the activist community, particularly following the Russian authorities’ aggressive expansion of the ‘Foreign Agent’ registry. For members of the Charitable Foundation Sphere and the wider LGBTQ+ community, these labels are not merely administrative hurdles; they are deliberate tools of dehumanisation designed to strip individuals of their agency and social standing.

When the Ministry of Justice designates an individual or an organisation as a ‘foreign agent’, it mandates a specific, stigmatising preamble on every piece of communication, from formal reports to social media posts. This forced self-labelling functions as a modern-day ‘yellow star’, intended to isolate activists from the public and cast doubt on their motives. By forcing advocates to adopt a state-mandated identity, the authorities attempt to overwrite the years of community-building and support that define the work of organisations like Sphere.

The Systematic Erasure of LGBTQ+ Identities

The struggle over names and identities extends beyond the ‘Foreign Agent’ law. It intersects with the broader legislative crackdown on ‘LGBT propaganda’ and the systemic refusal to recognise the lived realities of queer and transgender individuals. Russian authorities have increasingly moved to erase the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community from public life, suggesting that to even mention one’s identity is a violation of ‘traditional values’.

For many activists, the refusal to be called by the state’s chosen labels is a final act of defiance. Whether it is resisting the ‘foreign agent’ tag or fighting for the right to use their chosen names in legal and social contexts, the act of self-identification has become a form of protest. The state’s insistence on using deadnames or derogatory legal classifications is a direct attempt to undermine the psychological well-being of the community, making the simple act of existing openly a courageous feat of civil rights advocacy.

The Role of the Judiciary in Enforcing Stigma

The legal battles faced by the Sphere Foundation, particularly within the Kuibyshevsky District Court and the St. Petersburg City Court, highlight how the judiciary has been weaponised to enforce these labels. The liquidation rulings against Sphere were not just about the dissolution of a legal entity; they were an attempt to erase a platform that gave voice to those the state wishes to remain silent. In these courtrooms, the ‘name’ of the organisation is treated as a threat to public order, rather than a symbol of community support and legal aid.

Judicial proceedings often focus on the semantics of advocacy, where the authorities argue that the very name of ‘human rights’ is a cover for ‘political activity’. By redefining what it means to be an advocate, the state seeks to criminalise the act of helping others. This linguistic manipulation ensures that anyone standing up for equality is branded as an outsider, a ‘foreign’ element that does not belong in the Russian social fabric.

The Human Cost of State-Imposed Labels

The impact of this labelling reaches far beyond the courtroom. For the individual activists on the ground, being forced to carry a state-imposed label affects their safety, their employment, and their personal relationships. The ‘Foreign Agent’ status carries a heavy social stigma that can lead to harassment and physical violence. When the state calls you an ‘enemy’ or a ‘spy’, it provides a tacit endorsement for others to do the same.

• Social Isolation: Many activists find their professional networks shrinking as colleagues fear the repercussions of being associated with a ‘foreign agent’.
• Psychological Strain: The constant requirement to label oneself as a threat to the state leads to significant mental health challenges, including anxiety and burnout.
• Financial Hardship: The administrative requirements and heavy fines associated with these labels often lead to the financial ruin of both individuals and organisations.
• Legal Vulnerability: Once labelled, activists are subject to increased surveillance and a higher likelihood of criminal prosecution for minor administrative errors.

Despite these pressures, the community has found ways to adapt and resist. The refusal to accept the state’s definitions has fostered a new sense of solidarity. By sharing stories of resilience and maintaining community-driven support networks, activists continue to assert their true identities in the face of state-sponsored erasure.

Maintaining Visibility in a Climate of Silence

How does a community continue to tell its stories when the state demands its silence? This is the central challenge for the Sphere team and our allies. The Russian authorities’ attempt to control the narrative by imposing labels is met with a commitment to authentic storytelling. We believe that the stories of our community members—told in their own voices and by their own names—are the most powerful tools we have against the state’s disinformation.

Protecting these stories requires a careful balance between visibility and safety. As we have seen in the legal challenges in Saint Petersburg, the state is quick to use any public declaration as evidence of ‘illegal’ activity. Therefore, the work of CFSphere focuses on providing the legal and social resources necessary for individuals to navigate this hostile environment without losing their sense of self. We continue to advocate for the right of every individual to be defined by their actions and their character, rather than by a label imposed by a government that fears the power of equality and community-driven change.

The Future of Advocacy Amidst Liquidation

The liquidation of the Sphere Foundation marks a critical turning point, but it does not mark the end of our mission. The state may be able to dissolve a legal entity, but it cannot dissolve the relationships, the shared history, and the collective identity of the people we serve. The fight for civil rights in Russia is increasingly a fight for the right to exist without being redefined by the authorities.

As we move forward, our focus remains on the protection of human rights and the support of those targeted by discriminatory laws. We refuse to let the state’s labels dictate our worth or our work. The name ‘Sphere’ represents a circle of protection and a community of equals, and that is a name we will continue to carry, regardless of the rulings from the Kuibyshevsky District Court or any other state body. Our commitment to justice and equality remains unchanged, and we will continue to stand with those who say to the authorities: ‘You do not get to decide who I am.’