Increasingly, Russian citizens opposed to the war are fleeing their country, taking asylum in other places – around the world. A significant number of these folks are queer – leaving not just because of their opposition to the war, but fleeing severe persecution in Russia, as the country cracks down on the LGBTQ community. And, they’re landing in places that are skeptical of them because of the war in Ukraine. 

In this episode I’m talking to Maxim Eye-BAD-off, coordinator with Rusa LGBTQ+ - a network for Russian-speaking LGBTQ+ individuals in the United States, their friends, supporters and loved ones. They provide informational support to asylum seekers and organize social events to increase acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ+ people within the Russian-speaking public. 

We talk about the queer climate in Russia today, how it has evolved, the feedback loop of LGBTQ oppression – how the anti-LGBT policies instituted in Russia are being mirrored in red-states here in the US, that then inform further oppressive policies in Russia, the war in Ukraine, how it has created a global diaspora of Ukrainian and Russian refugees, and how you can support the community.

Recommended:
Rusa LGBTQ

Welcome to Chechnya

What is War to a Grieving Child?

Mentioned:
The Idol

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Majestic Earth - Joystock