Lecture: Queers and Fears: Russia Then and Now

the mental and spiritual prison for years during the Soviet times, Russian gays became caught up in Perestroika and liberalization. However, that "honeymoon" would not last long and Russian LGBT would be forced to hide themselves once again in the closets, or flee the country, afraid of persecution, torture, and permanent humiliation. What does it mean to live under the rainbow shadow within Putin's Russia?
Lyosha Gorshkov is Co-President at RUSA LGBT (Russian-Speaking American LGBTQ Association). He holds a PhD in Political Science. Lyosha is a former Political Science Professor at Perm State University in Russia. His field of research is Queer and Gender Studies. In July 2014, after being persecuted and physcially threatened by Security Services, and Neo-Nazi groups for being an openly gay professor, and vocal advocate for LGBTIQ rights, he was forced to leave Russia. Lyosha was granted asylum in the U.S. in March 2017.
PART I - FEBRUARY 22, 6:30 PM
PART II - MARCH 1, 6:30 PM