As a Russian, this is fake news/propaganda used to distract people (Americans, Russians, and others alike) to possibly distract people from the real issues, and most likely - farm profits.

I have personally spoken to other Russians about the issue. Including openly gay/bi people in Chechnya who have told me there is NO SUCH THING and that they are NOT in any danger. Sure, Russia is conservative, and Chechnya probably more so, but there is absolutely NO evidence of any "purges" or "gay death camps."

I have searched extensively for sources and actual proof of such thing, in both English and Russian (I understand both) and the ONLY thing close to a "source" I have found was "Witnesses told the Russian LGBT network that this thing exists."

The ONLY source is a organization called "Russian LGBT network". Now, this organization is suspicious for several reasons. They refuse to back up their claims, they don't have much public information about what (if anything) they do, but they keep asking for donations. I can't find any evidence that they help real people - sure, they might claim they do, but much like American or UK LGBT organizations, they may just farm profits, push propaganda, and ignore LGB people in need.

Think about it this way - if being gay WAS a death sentence in Russia, just merely for existing, how would a "LGBT network" so openly exist without issue? Why isn't the Russian government making a big deal out of people talking about this? Because it's not real.

Do not buy into propaganda. Stop sharing fake news. Stop sharing stuff without sources. I feel like people are generally aware of propaganda and fake news BUT only if it's AGAINST their political viewpoint or narrative. For example, left-leaning people are very quick to spot and dismiss right-wing propaganda and fake news, but propaganda that appears to have a viewpoint similar to their own (in this case, appearing to be pro-gay, but judging by the fact that this LGBT network does nothing, I don't think that's even true) they absorb without question.

Do not let anything be free from criticism and investigation. Propaganda like this only fuels xenophobia and, like I said, is most likely making this shady organization a lot of money. This was created to drive a wedge between US and Russia, to make USA "progressives" hate us.

If you want to help LGB Russians, DO NOT DONATE TO THIS ORGANIZATION. The only way you can ensure the money goes to a good cause is to donate to people directly. Or better yet, refocus your energy on tackling the very real problems in Russia - the corrupt government, the misogynistic culture, the outdated and restrictive religious "tradition" driving our society. It's very possible that this shady organization is HARMING people for the sake of pushing a false agenda, or making profit.

Please, when it comes to other countries, trust the people who have seen it and can speak the language, not outside sites.