{"id":25506,"date":"2020-03-19T18:45:56","date_gmt":"2020-03-19T17:45:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ilgrandecolibri.com\/?p=25506"},"modified":"2020-03-19T18:45:56","modified_gmt":"2020-03-19T17:45:56","slug":"i-drew-a-same-sex-family-now-i-have-to-face-three-trials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ilgrandecolibri.com\/en\/i-drew-a-same-sex-family-now-i-have-to-face-three-trials\/","title":{"rendered":"“I Drew a Same-Sex Family: Now I Have to Face Three Trials”"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Russian activist Yulja Tsvetkova is waiting to be tried on various charges related to the law banning “gay propaganda” in her country; she could also be convicted of spreading pornography for posting a vagina drawing on a social media page about body positivity<\/strong>. Under house arrest since November, she had recently\u00a0a pleasant surprise<\/a> (which does not relieve her of the charges): this restrictive measure was suspended. The association for LGBTQIA rights Moscow Community Center and the international organization All Out joined in a global signature collection<\/a> to urge the Russian authorities to withdraw all accusations against Yulja and to repeal the “gay propaganda” law<\/p>\n

Yulja Tsvetkova<\/strong> talked with Il Grande Colibr\u00ec to explain her situation and the accusations she must face. We asked her what the LGBT world community can do for her and the other victims of this absurd regulation.

<\/div>\n

Why are you accused of “gay propaganda”?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am currently under three prosecutions: a criminal trial for “pornography” for which I risk up to 6 years in prison, and two trials for “propaganda”<\/strong> that cause me a fine of 50 million rubles [about 600 euros or 625 dollars; ed] each one. The first propaganda accusation is based on a social media group, in which I published articles on queer culture, ways to support LGBTQIA youth and discrimination of LGBTQIA people in Russia. The second accusation is based on a drawing in solidarity with queer families in Russia.<\/p>\n

You wanted to express solidarity with a gay couple who fled Russia: what’s their story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Two men lived quietly with their adopted children. They weren’t activists, they hadn’t come out. Somehow child protection services found that the children had two fathers and the police wanted to take them away<\/strong>. The whole family fled abroad and now lives in safety. It was a big story in Russia, and a great solidarity campaign was launched. The threat to queer families with children is constant in Russia and any case, it’s important to speak up against discrimination.<\/p>\n

\"\"You have suffered serious threats: who did threaten you? Are you scared? And did the police do something to protect you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Threats are coming from people who call themselves “Saw”, like the title of a famous horror movie. They regularly threaten LGBTQIA activists in Russia, making lists of names of people they want to kill or maim<\/strong>. Several people left the country because of such threats. At least one woman on the Saw list was murdered.<\/p>\n

Sam is threatening me personally for the second time, and the police do nothing<\/strong>. On March 11, police officers questioned me about the threats: they laughed at me, asked some inappropriate questions and advised me not to “live in my house<\/em>.” The last time I received the threats (it was the last summer) the police acted the same way and they found no one. I am less scared of threats and angrier with the police who are so unprofessional.<\/p>\n

What can we do from abroad to help you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Write about my case<\/strong>. Glasnost (transparency) is our biggest weapon here: I noticed how the police began treating me differently after my case became known. People should know that they are so helpful against LGBTQIA and women discrimination in some countries. People should know that in our country someone can go to jail for positive body art, lectures on safe sex and youth theatre performances. Aside from that, there aren\u2019t many things that can be done.<\/p>\n

A controversial constitutional reform is under discussion in Russia: what do you think about it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I think constitutional reform is a shame to modern Russia. The main goal is to allow Putin to remain president for another 16 years. The rest is an illusion of change<\/strong>, for people tired of constant regress and poverty.<\/p>\n

Why did they propose to ban same-sex marriage, considering that there are no proposals to legalize it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The government created and fueled homophobia in Russia. It began with the “propaganda law” in 2013 and continues from there. The ban on same-sex marriages is a “gift” for people who think LGBTQIA people are their enemies (myth actively spread by government propaganda). Overall, not much changes for us, it’s still the same story of “traditional family values” and “Russian traditions” that is used to discriminate against a group of people in order to satisfy the rest. Year by year, it becomes harder and harder for LGBTQIA people to live fully<\/strong>. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day there was a proposal to criminalize homosexuality again, as in Soviet times.<\/p>\n

Michele Benini<\/strong>
\n\u00a92020 Il Grande Colibr\u00ec
\nimmagini: Yulja Tsvetkova<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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