The Documentary Podcast

The Fifth Floor: Russia's crackdown on gay clubs

Jan 25, 2025
Anastasia Golubeva, a BBC Russian journalist, reveals the chilling intensification of anti-LGBTQ+ crackdowns in Russia, sharing harrowing personal accounts from activists facing police raids on gay clubs. Dorcas Wangira, BBC Africa's health correspondent, reflects on the pandemic's far-reaching effects in Africa, exploring economic struggles and psychological scars that persist post-COVID-19. Both guests provide insightful commentary on the resilience and challenges of marginalized communities amidst evolving societal landscapes.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Yaroslavl Halloween Raid

  • On Halloween night, police raided a gay club in Yaroslavl, Russia, arresting drag queens like Kirill.
  • Kirill, left with no money or phone, had to walk home in his drag attire after questioning.
INSIGHT

Crackdown and Ukraine Invasion

  • Russia's crackdown on LGBTQ+ clubs intensified after the 2023 Supreme Court ban on the "global LGBT movement".
  • This crackdown is linked to the Ukraine invasion, with the government targeting the LGBTQ+ community as "traitors" and threats to traditional values.
INSIGHT

Western vs. Russian Values

  • The Russian government frames the LGBTQ+ community as influenced by Western values, contrasting them with a "good Russian man" ideal.
  • This rhetoric labels anything outside traditional norms as foreign and unhealthy, further marginalizing the community.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app