Our 2023 survey of over 4,400 LGBTQ+ Russians paints a complex picture. While 31% reported facing pressure due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, many others shared stories of hope and support.
Today, we shine a light on the positive experiences happening in Russian schools and colleges.
“I am lucky that nobody at my college, including professors and classmates, cares that I have changed my ID.”
Asexual transgender man, 22, Khanty-Mansiysk region
“Once we were having Important Talks [a class meant to promote “traditional Russian values”] at college. The curator mentioned a recent scandal about a guy dancing in a dress, and a heated discussion began. Our entire group stood up for the guy, saying that it was normal and that he had the right to decide what to wear.”
Gay cisgender man, 19, Sverdlovsk region
“An extremely incompetent psychologist at our college once started saying that queerness was a disease and that queer people should all be wiped out. Our entire group pushed back, saying that there was no room for such outdated views in the modern world.”
Gay cisgender man, 19, Sverdlovsk region
“In my class, everyone is quite tolerant. We’ve even debated with homophobic teachers and students at several points. And although most of my classmates are not LGBTQ+ people, they hate it when teachers insult the queer community when “expressing their opinion.” My classmates have consistently been standing up for queer rights, openly disagreeing with teachers and asking them to stop.”
Pansexual cisgender woman, 14, Irkutsk region
While being an LGBTQ+ person in Russia can definitely be tough in any environment, these stories from students show there’s certainly space for acceptance.
It’s a reminder that even in difficult situations, you’ll never be alone