On November 30, 2023, Russia’s Supreme Court declared “LGBT” an “extremist” organization. In a report by Novaya-Europe prepared together with the Plus Golos project, parents say this made life even more dangerous for queer people in Russia, while for teenagers family support has often become the main source of safety.
Mikhail, the father of 17-year-old Vitaly, says his son disclosed that he was transgender during a session with a family psychologist before the full-scale war. After that, he recalls, his fears about the child’s mental health disappeared because “everything fell into place.” Vitaly managed to complete his transition, including surgery and changing his documents. Mikhail says he no longer argues about queer people at work because such conversations trigger “five-minute hate sessions,” and he believes acceptance at home is the key condition for survival.
Vera, whose name was changed, calls her 17-year-old son Vanya a “queer person.” His coming out in 2022 was not dramatic for her, but she later faced several threats at once: the consequences of the war, her own activism, pressure from her former husband, and risks for her children. After the Supreme Court ruling, she says, the strain became unbearable; in December 2023 Vera collapsed in St. Petersburg, and doctors found no medical cause.
According to Vera, her former husband supported the war, repression, and homophobia, threatened to “cure” their older son of homosexuality, and sought ways to restrict the children from leaving Russia. She eventually fled the country with her sons, using the rule that minors may cross the border with one parent. She says her former husband continues to pursue her through Russian courts and wanted notices.
Marina learned that her daughter Vasilisa was transgender while already in exile, shortly before the girl turned 15. As a queer-friendly psychologist, she knew how to support her child, but she was also overwhelmed by fear.
“I was afraid that the whole world had turned against my child and would kill her immediately,” Marina recalls.
At first, Marina only allowed her daughter to express herself at home and was deeply shaken by the risks of violence and discrimination. Later, Vasilisa began wearing feminine clothes in places considered safe, and the family gradually built a supportive environment: her father and grandmother accepted her as well. Now 17, Vasilisa is planning another move abroad with her mother and is waiting to come of age so the family can address the medical side of her transition.