In 1989, the entire belief system of Soviet communism collapsed and was overthrown.  Suddenly, the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) transitioned to a federal republic and its citizens were introduced to the concept of republican individualism. From this starting point the institutional Soviet communist definition of gender and sexual orientation seemed wrong. Lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender (LGBT) cried out for recognition. Besides, these basic human identifications, the long ignored increase in HIV and tuberculosis left many Russians with damaged and poor health.  The consequences opened a variety of destructive social consequences. 

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Political figures did little to compensate for the failures of the past.  Choosing instead to ignore the problems at hand and failing to admit that the declining Soviet economy was their responsibility.  It is not altogether unrealistic to anticipate some negative consequences in the times of a failing social structure, when citizens who have been suppressed have not experienced individual freedom or undergone a democratic shift in governance.  However, Russian leadership was not only unwilling to examine longtime existing problems, it refused to understand the root cause. As a consequence to the fall of Communism and creation of a federal republic, the lack of proper civic understanding plagued Russian citizens, leading to increased conflict and unforeseen consequences.