This report finds that discrimination, homophobia and Russia’s crusade against non-traditional sexual relationships have helped fuel a worrying rise in hostility towards LGBTI human rights groups in parts of the former Soviet Union. Social and political homophobia and transphobia in Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan contribute to the marginalisation of LGBTI HRDs and activists. The state authorities are unwilling to protect LGBTI HRDs and activists – police fail to prevent and investigate homophobic and transphobic hate crimes against LGBTI HRDs, activists and community members.