Here’s the Q&A session I did for Queer Film Festival Munich 2020. This was a part of my introduction to “Welcome To Chechnya” film.
Can you tell me something about you? Like how you grew up?
I was born in St. Petersburg (it was then called Leningrad) in 1985, still in the time of the Soviet Union. Just to remind you – the Article 121 of the Soviet criminal code was only annulled in 1993. Under Article 121 of the Soviet criminal code, consensual sexual relations between men and sodomy were punishable by up to five years in prison. So, basically I was a natural born criminal. I started to realise my homosexuality very early, when I was only 7 years old. But somehow I already knew that I better keep it a secret. So I grew up holding a secret, which led to a general distrust towards people and a feeling of shame and guilt.
What was the situation for you as a queer young fellow growing up in Russia?
In fact, I was very lucky to get into a very liberal school, where I felt more relaxed than at home with my homophobic father, and mother who blindly supported him in this. Whenever they discussed homosexuality, it always came with really unpleasant jokes and bullying. I had to keep quiet, but I felt as if I was morally raped. That’s why, I suppose, I thought that being raped was alright when I started my sexual life and became a victim of sexual abuse more than once. But I am grateful to my classmates, who accepted me the way I am and were there for me.
And how was music a help for you to express yourself in a toxic surrounding?
I started experimenting with music when I was 7, then I wrote my first song when I was 12 years old. I used English to keep the lyrics more ambiguous, so no one could know wether I am singing about him or her. Also using English allowed me to be more open about topics I wanted to share. I somehow managed to create my own little comfortable world, where I could feel cosy and safe. Luckily enough, in 2003 I was noticed by the local edition of Time Out magazine and started my concert career. The support I was getting from my fans was exactly what I needed to get through the teenage years. I am sometimes joking that Electroclash saved me then.
Can you tell me something about the situation of the people especially the queer community in Chechnya?
I suppose that the “Welcome To Chechnya” film speaks louder than any words I am capable of saying. I can only add that in general in Russia the homophobic rhetoric was only getting stronger throughout the last 3-5 years. As I am reflecting on the possible reasons of this, I come to a conclusion, that the so called “gay propaganda law” was the first reason for homophobes in Russia to feel that they have the right to be aggressive towards the queer community. And the second reason is general unhappiness of Russian people – when you’re unhappy and you can do nothing about it, you look for a scapegoat. And here we are, the ones to blame – queer people.
How was it to leave your home country? How is your relationship to your family?
I was leaving Russia in a great hurry, it was very dangerous for me to stay there, and every single day counted. I was bitter, felt insulted by the country. I still cannot forgive Russia for treating me as an “Untermensch”. Sometimes I think that it’s just because I’m supersensitive, but it doesn’t matter when we talk about human rights. Russia didn’t follow the guidelines of the Universal human rights declaration in my situation. I couldn’t expect any justice, even though I tried to go to the police to report attacks against me. They just threw those protocols away and pretended that nothing had happened. I couldn’t trust the state that didn’t think that my problems counted. So I left.
My parents didn’t know I was planning to leave forever. I said “I am going to Berlin for a while”. And since then – I’ve never come back. As for my relationship with parents – I now have a good contact with my mother, but my father stays loyal to his homophobic stance, so I prefer not to communicate with him.
Do you have still friends, who are living in Russia? How was their situation?
Yes, I still have many friends living in Russia. I am very sad that some of them just cannot leave like I did, because they have their own big responsibilities that don’t let them go.
How big was the mindfuck when you moved to Berlin?
Oh, that’s a good question. I mean, the mindfuck was enormous. There was even a moment when they tried to deport me. But you know, still somehow I felt that I was treated like a human being, so this mindfuck was a fair price for my safety.
What was bigger the feeling of „finally freedom“ and to be able to express yourself or the sadness about leaving your home country, your family and friends?
Definitely “finally freedom” was much bigger!
Did you experienced homophobia in Germany / Berlin?
Yes, unfortunately, a couple of time. Not so long ago I was kissing with my boyfriend outside a bar in Neukölln, then some guy started shouting at us from his car: “Do it at home, you faggots!”. I replied: ”Do your homophobia at home! I am calling the police!”. He left immediately. I am happy I can call the police in such cases. In Russia it wouldn’t be possible. They’d rather beat me up for calling them in such a situation and wasting their “precious” time.
Do you have connections to the German-russian-community in Berlin? How is it?
Not really. I have a few Russian speaking friends here from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, but I really don’t stick to the German-Russian community. I prefer to have an international circle, it gives me a chance to have a wider perspective on what’s going on in the world.
STATEMENT
Dear friends,
I am honoured to have a chance and talk about the critical situation for queer community in Russian Federation in general, and especially in it’s most ultra-conservative region – Chechnya. Unfortunately, I cannot be there with you today, but I am grateful to have an opportunity to say a few words nevertheless.
The first thing I wanted to underline is the fact that Chechnya is not a separate country. It is very important to understand, that Chechen Republic is an integral part of Russian Federation, and therefore the people, responsible for everything that happens there, are not only the members of Chechen government, but also the governing personnel of Russia.
This assertion is the key to understanding, why international investigation hasn’t moved very much forward even after OSCE confirmed that the information about prosecution and killings in Chechnya was correct and well grounded. The governing personnel of Russian Federation, and its current president in particular, realised that once the real investigation is started, the trace would lead to them and their responsibilities, that’s why they continue ignoring the demands of international society to invoke the transparent international investigation of the matter.
We can only expect the real change in the current horrible situation in Russia, if the people of Russia manage to change their government and choose a more liberal direction. Until then – chances for justice are nearly inexistent.
That is exactly why I think, that “Welcome To Chechnya” is much more than just an honest documentary film. David France and his colleagues from the Russian LGBT Network did an enormous, wonderful job – they created a peaceful weapon that has a power to fight injustice through knowledge. The more people in the world know this, the more solidarity we can raise for the queer community in Chechen Republic. And even though at the moment we cannot stop those who prosecute queer people there, by knowing about this situation we can do our best to help LGBTIQ persons leave the country that doesn’t count them as people and start their new lives abroad.
I want to mention specially Maxim Lapunov and other protagonists of the film. Their bravery is incredible, and there are no words, grand enough to describe my respect to them. We see them, we hear their words, and we know that all of this terror happening in a far away land is true. We can feel it on our skin. And we all must do all we can to stop this.
Thanks to these heroes the film has the power to save lives.
Solidarity for queer people in Chechnya!
Fight for human rights, stay optimistic, and, of course, stay safe and healthy!
Sincerely yours,
Gene Bogolepov
