Mikhail Tomosov is the head of the LGBTQIA+ Network in Russia and he was in Hong Kong as a guest of the Human Dignity Festival, organised by Planet Ally. Mikhail talks to us about growing up in Russia without any sex education or gay role models in the media, and how difficult that was for him as a gay teen. He shares his parents unspoken acceptance of his sexuality and the love and support he and his partner have from them. Unfortunately, repression and victimisation are prolific, and Mikhail has faced discrimination in Russia, once being fired from his job for being gay and an activist. Mikhail explains the important work that he is doing in Russia as a human rights activist, including saving the lives of gay men in Chechnya where mass detentions, torture and murders of homosexuals occur. Mikhail states that he is fighting for the rights of people to live a “normal life” in Russia and he hopes that he will see changes to attitudes and laws in his country in his life time. Mikhail is role model and an inspiration. This interview really moved me, it was both a privilege and shocking to talk to Mikhail about his vital work as an NGO in Russia.  

You can learn more about the work of the Russian LGBTQ Network here https://help.lgbtnet.org/chechnya-en

Please click on the green button to donate funds to support fight these crimes against humanity.  

LGBTQ Network in Russia: https://help.lgbtnet.org/en

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