Gay Propaganda

A series of moving narratives that capture the lives and loves of LGBT Russians living both in their home country and in exile today. Comprised of firsthand accounts, reportage and interviews, this book is a provocative riposte to Russia's recently passed and ill-defined ban on "homosexual propaganda." Gay Propaganda brings together original stories, interviews and testimonial, presented in both English and Russian, to capture the lives and loves of LGBT Russians living both in Russia and in exile. The book is a provocative riposte to Russia's recently passed and ill-defined ban on "homosexual propaganda." As part of a strategy to consolidate political control in Russia following massive pro-democracy protests that shook the government, President Putin's ruling party looked for an enemy to unite the country. Hoping to manipulate backward but widely-held prejudices, it opted to demonize gays and lesbians. A bill was signed by Putin banning "propaganda" of so-called non-traditional relationships. Subsequently, and quite predictably, attacks, firings, and hate crimes spiked across Russia. The accounts gathered in Gay Propaganda offer a timely and intimate window into the hardships faced by Russians on the receiving end of state-sanctioned homophobia. Here are tales of men and women in long-term committed relationships as well as those still looking for love; of those trying to raise kids or taking care of parents; of those facing the challenges of continuing to live in Russia or joining an exodus that is rapidly becoming a flood.