Inside the Iron Closet: What It’s Like to Be Gay in Putin’s Russia #Longread

What the two men in this photograph are doing is now illegal in Russia. Amidst an alarming—and frequently violent— government crackdown, being out, or simply supporting gays and lesbians, can now get you thrown in jail, beaten up, or worse. On the eve of the Sochi Olympics, Jeff Sharlet embeds with the new enemies of the state and reports on life in the Russian underground

http://www.gq.com/news-politics/big-issues/201402/being-gay-in-russia

Related Posts

  • 72
    Despite all the criticism, the games in Sochi will take place, and they will most likely be deemed a triumph, a validation of Putin’s leadership, unless of course disaster strikes in the form of terrorism or some other tragedy. http://www.nytimes.com
    Tags: gard, sochi, #longread
  • 54
    Ukraine's economy is in urgent need of assistance will Russia with Putin as leader help them out ? Vladimir Putin holds brief talks with Viktor Yanukovich at Sochi Games as Ukraine awaits Russian bailout amid uprising. Viktor Yanukovich, who has been battling anti-government protesters since he rejected a trade deal…
    Tags: russia, sochi, russian
  • 53
    Amid continued debate over whether or not Sochi is prepared to host the 2014 Olympics (here are 15 alarming signs that Russia might not be ready) reporters from around the world are starting to check into local hotels — to their apparent grief. Some journalists arriving in Sochi are describing appalling…
    Tags: sochi, olympics, russia
  • 50
    The history of statehood on the territory of Ukraine begins with two archetypically European encounters. Medieval statehood on the territory of today's Ukraine, like that of France and England, includes an encounter with Vikings. The men from the north sought to establish a trade route between the Baltic and Black…
    Tags: state, men, #longread, russia
  • 45
    It’s never a good day when almost 10% of the value of the world’s largest country - Russia - is wiped out. Do you remember UK in 1997 ?
    Tags: russia