Today President Putin re-affirmed that Russia would never allow same-sex marriages : this coming a few days after another gay couple were brutally beaten by Authorities under the so called Propaganda Law.  The Law was passed  “for the Purpose of Protecting Children from Information Advocating for a Denial of Traditional Family Values”  but the reality is that is that it has empowered bodies like the Police, and homophobic members of the publice to take whatever action they like against the LGBT Community and be able to get away with it.

Recent Queerguru reviewed Paul Rice’s eye-opening documentary investigation A WORM IN THE HEART  that he and his BF filmed when they literally covered the whole of Russia on the Trans Siberian Railway to get a first-hand view on the LGBT Community.  They found that the 2013 Law had effectively pushed most queers underground and their disturbing results made for tough viewing.

Next up is David France’s  new movie Welcome to Chechnya that just premiered in Sundance, and we will be viewing it very soon.  It tells the story of a group of activists who risk their lives fighting for LGBTQ+ rights in Chechnya, Russia’s neighbor.

Sitting comfortable in the West we need to know how the former Soviet Union treat their LGBTQ communities so that we can stand behind them and do anything in our power to help their very real and desperate struggle.

Now there is this is very short video from BBC TV  about Jon and Alex, a gay couple from Russia, share an intimate moment at a small apartment in St Petersburg.

This secret glimpse into their private lives was captured by Danish photographer Mads Nissen and received the prestigious World Press Photo Award in 2015.  But while people across the globe were admiring Nissen’s work, life for Jon and Alex was only getting more difficult.  The picture is also a symbol of painful struggle and, ultimately, loss. 

Have your Kleenex ready for this one.