Gay in Moscow

Sexual Ethnic Cleansing

 

I wrote Gay in Uganda on May 30^th last. I thought it to be a one-off essay because Uganda is so obscenely corrupt and twisted and, of course, a third world, non-white country. All fair reasons to respond that I don’t have the knowledge to comment further.

 

I also wrote there, "I seldom write about gay rights or related controversies, mostly because I don’t understand them and I don’t care that much.” All true. I do not campaign for causes, I do not march, I do not seek a spotlight for any cause. I do understand repression and cruelty and authoritarianism and that’s what I choose to write about.

 

Thus, I am moved to write about the further repression of gays in Russia. Further, because it is already ingrained in much of the populace but now it has the cloak of law. The Russian Supreme Court, rubber stamp toadies of Vladimir Putin, has identified a great enemy of Russia, the “global LGBTQ+ movement.” As if Russia doesn’t have enough external enemies, now they have identified a great internal enemy. Gays. “People who aren’t like us.” Sexual ethnic cleansing. Hello, Uganda.

 

ABC News writes, “Activists have noted the lawsuit was lodged against a movement that is not an official entity, and that under its broad and vague definition authorities could crack down on any individuals or groups deemed to be part of it.” 

 

In America, it would be like suing “the Left” or “the Right,” depending on who is in office.

 

“I deem you queer. You’re under arrest. Prove you’re not.”

 

Reminiscent of, “You look Jewish. You’re under arrest.”

 

It’s a national movement in Russia now. It has to be. It’s the law, permission for every lazy cop in the country to say, “I got a few more again today, chief,” and expect a reward for doing his job. An observer might say, “But at least they aren’t putting them in gas chambers.” A distinction without a difference.

 

The gulags didn’t have gas chambers either but they murdered ten million Russians and others before and during WWII and long thereafter. It’s easy for a Russian leader to murder millions of people. See Poland, Ukraine, Georgia and Chechnya. A few hundred thousand in a country no one has ever heard of here, a few hundred thousand more there and you’re in the big leagues of murder. Tyrant prestige. You rule by fear. “Make it happen or you’re next.” And it happens.

 

Americans tend to have an aversion to over-the-top LGBTQ+ antics. I give you gay clowns performing in grade schools as an example. But being gay? I know of no one who begrudges gays the joys of life. Yes, I know there are some, but few. As I wrote in the same essay, “I’m in the camp of ‘You be you and I’ll be me and let’s both go in peace.’” 

 

Still, I recognize an anti-gay bias in America. I think it has to do with conflating the few who offend with the many normal gays who just want to live in peace. And the fact that it’s so easy to hate those who are different than us.

 

Today, after that odious ruling by the Russian Supreme Court, gays have to hide. Again. They are no longer welcome in “polite society.” Their contributions are unwelcome and ignored. It remains to be seen whether they will be rooted out of their esteemed scientific, intellectual and academic positions. They must be, mustn’t they, to comport with the law? The answer, of course, is yes. But what will happen is a version of “Well, we didn’t mean you. We meant those people outside.”

I cannot not say anything.

* * * * *

"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."

—Martin Niemöller

* * * * *

I cannot stand by quietly.

--Then they came for the gays and I did not speak out--because I was not gay.-- 

Who will speak for me?

—Charles Stromme

* * * * *

Poor Russia. 

 

“Let the denunciations begin... again.”

“Let the pogroms begin… again.”

 

“If I were a rich man… ”

 

Poor us.