16/05/2025
The campaign group ALL OUT has issued a press released inviting people to share in stories of courage from Russia and pledging solidarity to Russian LGBTQIA+ people who are bearing the brunt of a clampdown on freethinking and civil society.
They say "
Imagine this: A kiss at a bus stop, a stolen glance on a first date, a simple act of self-expression. In Russia, these are moments of courage – but they come with grave consequences. Every day, LGBT+ people are forced to hide who they are, live in fear, and risk everything for simply being themselves.
With oppressive laws silencing voices and violence lurking around every corner, queer people in Russia are made to feel invisible. They are pushed into the shadows for being who they are. But their stories – our stories – refuse to stay hidden.
That's why ComingOut, the Union of Russian LGBT Organisations*, and All Out have joined forces to bring these stories to light. Love, fear, resilience, risk – these are the threads that connect the lives and stories of queer Russians from Moscow to Krasnodar, from Chelyabinsk to Kazan. Each story on our website, brought to life by stunning artwork, is a bold act of love, demanding to be heard.
The Russian government is tightening its grip, silencing queer voices, and working relentlessly to erase our existence. And this repression is spreading. From Russia to Hungary, from Georgia to the United States, leaders are scapegoating LGBT+ people to divide societies and tighten control.
But just as repression doesn't stop at Russia's borders, neither does our solidarity. Queer people in Russia refuse to stay silent, and together, we can help them push back against hate and ensure that love wins.
This is where you come in. We need you to add your name to a solidarity message for queer people in Russia, share these powerful stories, and amplify the voices of those risking everything to speak their truth."
