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Two gay men are running for Parliament in Russia

Two gay men are running for Parliament in Russia

For the first time in Russian history, two openly gay men are running for Parliament. More specifically, they are attempting to claim a spot in the State Duma, the lower house of the nation’s Federal Assembly.

Aleksei Korolyov and Bulat Barantayev are both longtime advocates for the queer community in Russia, even after the passing of Putin’s horrific 2013 anti-gay law, which specifically prohibits the “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations.”

Left: Aleksei Korolyov | Right: Bulat Barantayev
Left: Aleksei Korolyov | Right: Bulat Barantayev

Neither of these men expect to get the seat, but wanted to show conservative politicians that queer Russians are not afraid to stand up for their rights.

“For a long time now, I have used all opportunities to cultivate an audience for accepting LGBT people,” Barantayev told Radio Free Europe. “By my example, I show that gays in Russia can create their own successful businesses, can meet with people, can have children and can even run for the State Duma.”

 

There’s no denying that these men are putting themselves at risk, but neither are willing back down out of fear.

“I decided to run because the ruling party has adopted an extreme homophobic position,” he concluded. “The authorities are facilitating a homophobic discourse in society that is inciting hate crimes.”

Voting for seats in the State Duma will be held on September 18.

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