He was blackmailed by the police in Russia because he's gay. He fled to Canada and tells Czechs: "Fight for your rights while you still can"
Vladimir, how would you describe your previous life in Russia?
Russia is an extremely homophobic country and the situation is getting worse. In the early 2000s we did see the birth and subsequent rise of the music group Tatu, which yes, contributed to greater openness, but then new repressive laws came on the scene. Back in 2015 we had the opportunity to protest, today we would end up in jail for similar activities. LGBT+ people face physical and verbal attacks on their identity every day. I personally have been rejected by my father and brother. Those who could, therefore, left. Those who remain, unfortunately, have to come to terms with a dangerous reality that is getting worse by the day.
You mentioned that you were blackmailed by the police. Can you elaborate on that?
They knew everything about me. They even had access to my private messages with my boyfriend and threatened me with publication and imprisonment. I had to pay them. That's when I realized I had no choice but to run away. And ideally very far away.
What did your new life in Canada bring you?
First of all, security. As soon as I arrived, I decided to marry my ex-husband. For the first time in my life, I could be completely open, I didn't have to hide, I didn't have to hide anything. But the price I paid for this was great - I had to give up my life completely. I was a famous dancer in Russia, I taught in Moscow and St. Petersburg, I performed in the theatre and in the circus. Here I was a nobody and I had to start from scratch. Although Canada is a beautiful country and I am very grateful for everything it has given me, the beginnings here were not exactly easy.
You mentioned that you are involved in helping new LGBT+ immigrants coming to Canada...
Yes, that's true. I help newly arrived LGBT+ people from Russia and Ukraine find housing and jobs in Toronto. However, I still see the same split of opinion here as anywhere else - Liberals vs Conservatives. And among conservatives there are often individuals who are extremely homophobic, transphobic and racist.
What saddens me most, though, is the not-quite-widespread homophobia within our community, which unfortunately still persists, though certainly not among everyone. I would say that homophobic people are especially those gays who, for whatever reason, are trying to please the majority society from which they demand acceptance. They then often adopt conservative attitudes and not infrequently have a problem with trans people, whom they blame for creating social problems and slowing progress. Or the eternal debates about how many genders there are. Why is anyone bothering with that? Just live and let live. "Mind your own business. That's all."
You recently visited Europe and the Czech Republic. How did the LGBT+ community there affect you?
When I moved to Canada, I compared the clubs there to those in Russia. Now, after visiting Europe, I realize that we are doing very well in Toronto. In Prague, the bars are far apart and seemed half empty even on the weekend. I was surprised. But otherwise the atmosphere was nice.
What would you say to the Czech LGBT+ community?
Fight for your rights. Come out, don't be afraid to show your true identity while you still can. In Russia we have gradually lost all our rights and now we have no chance to fight against what we don't like. You still can. Above all, build a strong community and make sure that more and more people come to Prague Pride every year. Because one day you might fight not only for yourself, but also for those who can't anymore.
Is there any way we can help LGBT+ people in Russia?
Support organizations like No Violence that fund legal aid for queer people in Russia. Because there is no justice there. And solidarity means more than you might think.
