Hello from Russia, native country of Viktor Nikiforov 😀
Recently, after the 8th episode I’ve seen a lot of speculation about politics in Russia towards LGBTQA+ representation, so I want to make a comment on it.
Yes, the representation is poor and we have this damn law. But in contrary to the popular opinion that anyone suffers here, it’s not entirely true. Let me explain.
Media and sport are different universes, there are different laws in them. In fact, there a lot of gay people in the media in Russia, but nobody talks about it. Because personal life is something intimate in general. It’s in our character: we are open for guests and anyone who’s interested in our culture, but don’t ask personal stuff – we’re pretty closed. It might become personal when it’s in your family – and then it depends on how well these people are educated. We have beautiful ballet dancers, talented singers and famous figure skaters.
This particular law is some vague ministrations just to cover some other nasty stuff, to change the subject from really important things like loss of money in building the arena for Football World Cup and shortage of budget for education.
People in big cities are mostly chill, they don’t really care who you love or who you sleep with. But yes, it can be inappropriate for children. When I say “it”, I mean any kissing pair. I hate couples in the subway. They usually don’t look where they stand and may be blocking the damn door. Also for any child kissing pair looks nasty.
But nobody tells you how to educate your child. Sure, they can recommend, they can close some options and tell long speeches, but you are the one who decides what’s better for you. I’m an ace. I don’t need their recognition. Nobody will make me marry someone.
Back to publicity: until you tell to the country on a gov.channel that you are gay, you will be fine. Yes, public coming out is under restriction. But the reason is not plain hate for gays – it’s religion thing. Orthodox church is slightly different than Catholic, for example. And Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) is a government organization.
They rule like they please, they tell people shit and promise salvation. That’s why we kind of have a problem, when it comes to religion. That’s why we have this law – it’s useful for politics. Nothing more, nothing less. But guys, we live here, we try to look for each other no matter what.
Yuuri is a sportsman, he’s a competitor. He feels in Russia as an alien because he doesn’t know anyone here. I don’t think even Victor ever thought about his representation or what fans could think of him: he goes with the flow, he’s willing to do whatever he wants. But yes, it can guarantee him problems. But not because his country, but because his colleagues.
There was a story about Johnny Weir, remember? I love him, he’s just so amazing and charismatic. But his career was doomed after he came out. They will let you skate, but they won’t let you win. It’s how sports work, it’s prejudged. But people who watch it – they aren’t. They came to cheer their favorite teams and sportsmen. They (usually) don’t care about anything else. And this is what important.
Because love wins. Always.
From Russia with love, Nadine.
Thanks for an important note about Russian character feature and our behavior. Personal life here will be talked over mostly among very close people. Besides the lack of official support to public coming out in media, the way such act will grab massive attention to your personal life may seem out of Russian character.
I mean, there is even the ‘Russian smile’ thing. In western culture a smile presents an overall neutral attitude toward you. Foreigners always notice how unsmiling Russians are and translate it as a mark of gloominess or spitefulness… Not at all. In fact, Russians simply don’t smile to people they don’t know. A Russian smile is always personal. When a Russian smiles to you, he or she wants to say that he or she likes you sincerely. A smile directed at a stranger may elicit the reaction, ‘Do we know each other?’. It doesn’t mean we don’t want to make friends. Russians just give a special meaning to the smile as an act that expresses your true emotions. Or such a neutral thing as a ‘small talk’ – it is unaccustomed here: if a person asks an ordinary Russian ‘How are you?’ it means to the Russian that the person really cares, so he can tell how all his day was going, what are his plans and so on… Because if you don’t care, why would you ask? If you don’t know me, why would you smile? Sincerity and openness are hallmarks of Russian culture, the flip side of its first-look coldness, if you get to know it closer.
What I try to explain is: with such differentiation between people you are close with and those with whom you’re not, usually the private life here remains private naturally – whatever your orientation is. Unfortunately, there are untoward actions like those shady government restrictions, but I’m asking you to understand: it’s not because Russians are hateful towards LGBTQA+, although I competely agree that we have to work far more on representation of it and the government must change its politics. Of course there are some hateful bastards in the nation, and it’s pitiful, but is there any country in the world which lacks them completely?
