Gay Chechen Refugees Are Finding a Surprising Ally

The small Baltic nation of Lithuania -- once part of the Soviet Union -- is welcoming gay and bisexual men fleeing persecution in the Russian republic of Chechnya.

Two men have been granted visas to Lithuania; the country made the announcement during Wednesday's International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius called on other European nations to extend help to Chechnya's gay population, members of which have endured imprisonment, torture, and government-sanctioned murder.

The U.S. has failed to provide visas to Chechen victims, according to a recent report. The news is even more disturbing considering there are approximately 40 gay men who've escaped the concentration camps and are now seeking refuge in other countries.

Embattled U.S. President Donald Trump has not uttered a public word about the atrocities in Chechnya and it appears it did not come up in a meeting with Russian officials earlier this month, where he divulged classified secrets to the leaders.