Being Gay In Russia: Two Men Heckled And Cursed For ‘Pretending’ To Be Gay [Video]
Being gay in Russia is definitely not a cakewalk.
A shocking social experiment, which surfaced on YouTube in the wee hours of Sunday morning, has once again underlined the apparently homophobic sentiments prevalent in Russian society.
Two men, who co-own the channel ChebuRussia TV on YouTube, uploaded a video yesterday showing them walk on the streets of Moscow holding hands.
In what can only be considered a violent reaction by the people on the streets, the two men (who were pretending to be gay) are cursed (even by kids!), heckled, and worst of all, almost pinned against a wall by one hunky Russian dude.
Watch the disturbing video here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgm3lb9JUU0
It is interesting to note that none of the women in the video appear to care, while most men who cross paths with the pretending couple, either use foul language or mock them for being gay.
Russia has been infamous in the past for being homophobic. As reported by the Inquisitr earlier this week, Vladimir Putin’s government recently introduced a “real family flag” to counter the spread of pro-gay sentiments in Russia. Russia’s deputy head of the United Russia branch in Moscow, Andrei Lisovenko, had this to say about the initiative.
“This is our response to same-sex marriage, to this mockery of the concept of the family. We have to warn against gay-fever at home and support traditional values in our country.”
While United States celebrates the legalization of gay marriage, the picture in Russia looms darker than ever. Having decriminalized homosexuality 20 years ago, the implementation of policies by the Russian state shows that the country is still deep in the throes of homophobia. Russia, meanwhile, continues to stand by its anti-gay stance. According to a report published in the Washington Times, Vladimir Putin had spoken about the “degrading” social and moral values of the West in a keynote address last year.
“Many Euro-Atlantic countries have moved away from their roots, including Christian values. Policies are being pursued that place on the same level a multi-child family and a same-sex partnership, a faith in God and a belief in Satan. This is the path to degradation.”
While the YouTube video has intensified the debate about perceptions towards homosexuality in Russia, it must be remembered that no generalization can be made on the evidence of one video. Having said that, the Russian core that supports “traditional” values, mostly comprising of conservative males, needs a realignment with modern values. Being gay is not wrong, and the sooner Russia learns that, the better it will be for the world.
Inspired by @CoopRespectLGBT – a series of visuals to show support by @LGBTSheffield @SCCLGBT @ICONSSheffield (4/5) pic.twitter.com/fDrIoInEyI
— TUoS LGBT+ Staff (@TUoSLGBT) February 7, 2014
[Images via YouTube / ChebuRussia TV and the Moscow Times]
