Lesbian visibility is crucial because it allows their voices to be heard, stories to be shared, and positive role models to emerge. It helps lesbians to claim their rightful space in society, dismantle stereotypes, and inspire each other to live authentically.
This year, we’re taking a trip back in time to explore the experiences of lesbians in the USSR. For much of Soviet history, lesbian life existed in the shadows. But why?
We’ll look at the reasons behind this invisibility. You’ll see how societal norms, fear of persecution, and the need for self-protection all played a role. Yet, despite the challenges, lesbians found ways to connect and create their own spaces, even if they had to do so in secret.
But the story doesn’t end there. We’ll also explore why, even today, many lesbians in Russia choose invisibility as a survival tactic. While queer people around the world are liberating themselves by coming out, in Russia visibility remains an unaffordable luxury.
Source:
“Lesbian Lives in Soviet and Post-Soviet Russia: Post/Socialism and Gendered Sexualities” by Francesca Stella (2014)
In the USSR, patriarchy defined gender relations. Women were expected to work and bear children. Their femininity was tied to motherhood and state duty. They had little autonomy in personal matters, including their sexuality.
While female homosexuality was not criminalized, it was often pathologized and treated as a medical condition.
Lesbians faced isolation, ostracism, and even violence, often being labeled as “deviant” or “immoral.” The threat of psychiatric intervention loomed over them constantly.
Many lesbians married and had children to conform to societal expectations and avoid scrutiny. At the time, childless, unmarried women were perceived as losers who failed to fulfill their purpose. Marriage acted as a shield, making life safer for queer women in the USSR.
Parents often reacted negatively to their daughters’ same-sex attraction, fearing social judgment and loss of reputation. The pressure to conform was strong, since not having grandchildren could lead to the entire family being cast out. In small towns, the fear of gossip and shame was particularly intense.
Most Soviet lesbians strictly separated their personal lives from the professional and public spheres. This was especially true for teachers, lawyers, and civil servants. Coming out could easily lead to job loss, social ostracism, and harassment. These fears kept lesbians living in the shadows. Lesbians formed discreet social circles, organizing rare gatherings in private spaces or specific locations.
In contrast to Western activism, Soviet lesbians often sought refuge in invisibility. This stemmed from a desire to avoid unwanted attention and potential harm. For many Soviet lesbians, “the closet” was a place of safety rather than oppression. Openness could bring harm, while invisibility offered a degree of protection. Visibility was not seen as empowering or liberating; it was often associated with danger and isolation.
The Soviet legacy continues to shape the experiences of lesbians and other queer people in today’s Russia. Invisibility remains a survival strategy, allowing people to create safe spaces and communities within a hostile society. And paradoxically, that is where empowerment lies.