🧐 And the prize for Best Poetry goes to… cis people only?
In a move that has left many scratching their heads, the organizers of a prestigious Russian poetry competition have barred transgender people from participating.
Their motivation? Preserving “traditional Russian values.”
The Dementiev Poetry Prize, established in 2021, has always welcomed submissions from poets of all backgrounds, regardless of their citizenship, nationality, profession, or place of residence.
However, this year’s updated rules introduce a startling new clause:
“In order to preserve the traditional views on marriage, family, motherhood, fatherhood, and childhood, shared by Russian society and all traditional religions, citizens who have changed their sex (sic!) are not allowed to participate in the competition.”
To ensure compliance with this perplexing requirement, aspiring poets must submit copies of their birth certificates along with their poetry. Additionally, an explicit question about gender identity is included in the participation form, which must be signed and verified.
💬 Nef Cellarius (he/him), Volunteer Coordinator at ComingOut:
“The funny thing about this situation is that the organizers obviously know nothing about transgender people and transition.
“The transition process that existed in Russia before the total ban in 2023 meant that a transgender person received a completely new set of documents, including a birth certificate. This new birth certificate contained the new name and the new gender marker. It did not, however, contain any signs that the person had previously had a different gender marker.
“Because of this, a birth certificate will definitely not help the organizers understand which participants are transgender and which are not.”
As ridiculous as it may be, the Dementiev Prize organizers’ decision to exclude transgender poets sets a dangerous precedent. If we don’t challenge it now, such restrictions will become the norm, endorsed by the queerphobic laws in Russia.
Let’s raise our voices and demand that art, and society as a whole, remain open to the beauty of diversity.