Dear friends –
Arrested for waving a rainbow flag. Violently beaten for showing my pride. Never feeling safe or accepted in my own country.
My name is Kirill Fedorov. I’m an LGBT rights activist in Russia, and this is the reality I face everyday.
In 2013, Russia’s gay propaganda law was passed. This law makes it a crime to utter the word "gay" or "lesbian" in public because they are considered inappropriate for children.
After the law was passed, life as an LGBT person became incredibly dangerous in Russia. Since then, whenever we take to the streets demanding fairness and equality, we are assaulted and beaten, without any protection from the police.
That’s why my friends and I at the Russian LGBT Network launched an Emergency Help Program. This fund helps cover everything from emergency safe housing when our lives are at risk, to bodyguards, lawyers, and psychological help.
Anything donated above our goal will help fund more campaigns for LGBT activists in Russia and around the world.
Just this year, it’s become even more difficult to keep LGBT activists safe. The Russian government banned foundations outside of the country from funding local groups like us, leaving the Emergency Help Program completely broke. But that doesn’t mean we can’t accept help from people like you.
The need has only gotten greater: In 2015, about 100 people from 12 different cities in Russia applied for some kind of help from the Emergency Help Program, but we sadly only had the funds to help 20 people.
If All Out members can raise $20,000, we’ll be able to provide:
- Safe space for activists for an entire year;
- Bodyguards to keep activists safe for 11 protests;
- Lawyers and psychologists for up to 10 people who have suffered verbal or physical assault;
- And other crucial costs needed to keep up the fight, like paying fines for going against the gay propaganda law.
I know firsthand that this type of help is so incredibly crucial in continuing to fight for our rights in Russia.
Friends,
Thanks for going All Out,
Kirill Fedorov, Russian LGBT Network
