Russia isn’t exactly known for its gay-friendliness, fair elections, or tolerance for political debate. But that’s not stopping Anton Krasovsky from running for mayor of Moscow.
42-year-old Krasovsky is poised to be the first openly gay, HIV-positive political candidate ever to run for office in the country, though it’s not totally clear if he’ll actually be allowed on the ballot. Still, he’s going to try because, as he puts it in an interview with the Daily Beast, “everything sucks here.”
Yeah, we know the feeling.
To be clear: The former Russian news anchorman doesn’t actually think he’s going to win. He’s running to raise awareness to inequality in Russia and to bolster his political profile.
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“It is an illusion that Russia is a homophobic country by its nature,” Krasovsky tells reporter Anna Nemtsova. “People do not care if you are homosexual or not, nor is anybody interested in your HIV or any other health problems.”
Hmmm. We’re not entirely sure about that. The country does have those homophobic “gay propaganda” laws. And let’s not forget about the kidnappings and killings of LGBTQ people in Chechnya.
Still, Krasovsky says his sexuality and HIV status have never been an issue for him.
“My homosexuality has never helped me but it has never been in the way of my career goals,” he maintains.
Except for the time he was fired from his job as a host on Internet Kontr TV in 2013 when he announced, “I am gay but I am just as human as Putin.”
Krasovsky needs to gather signatures of 110 municipal deputies before July 3 to see if he can even run.
“I want to take part in the election to show the current political elite how to fight for human rights and freedom,” he says.
We wish him all the best!
Related: Russian singer allegedly tortured and killed as part of Chechnya’s antigay pogrom
barkomatic
This guy is the definition of bravery and is admirable. He kinda characterizes what’s good about the Russian people–among those traits the toughness and candor.
Johndoes
I fear he might end up dead in ditch because of his bravery. Russia is a terrible country to be gay in. Not the worst but still pretty high up there.
Billy Budd
He is Fierce and Fearless. Let’s just hope they don’t assassinate him with a radioactive pill, like they do with deserter spies.
Chrisk
Oh I don’t know. I’ve seen enough documentaries and the Russian population doesn’t look very tolerant to me. As a matter of fact it looks downright scary. The police aren’t even going to help you.
Gigi Gee
I have friends who live in Russia. Most people are more concerned with paying rent or getting food on the table than they are about who you sleep with. That being said, they won’t be warm and receptive if you walk down the street holding hands with your boyfriend. That’s true here though in many places.
This was an interesting experiment. Ofc it’s just one incident.
https://youtu.be/-tYXbwaKo0E
brianlange
I bet the murdered boy was not letting the government keep him a way from his sister’s wedding. I am with you amigo. Prague is now the AIDs capital is the west. So sad. Me and my nd were to go for a couple weeks but all our gay friends totally flipped out. We did research and it will s like the very beginning with f the AIDS pandemic
Karlis
What a babe that guy is! I’m sure he won’t become mayor of Moscow, but Woof!
GayEGO
This guy has a lot of chutzpah, I hope he wins!
Stephen
Damn that’s brave to do in North America … He’s totally loveable, handsome, brave, cute, strong and courageous! To make a statement damn the results I could not be more inspired!
Kangol
I hope he’s OK and not imprisoned or attacked. I can’t recall if Queerty reported on this or not, but Russian asylum seekers to the US are at a 24-year high in 2017. Many of the asylum applicants are LGBT people fleeing the anti-gay violence in Russia.
ElPillo
Hope he doesn’t end up killed by that homophobic government and many, many followers
fur_hunter
Well…..If this guy doesn’t have BIG BRASS ONES……NO ONE DOES! To be honest, I do have fears for him. But maybe the Fates will be kind and watch over him. Maybe this is just the time to do such a courageous thing.
tennisteacher2
GOOD for him and GOD SPEED…..But he needs to be CAREFUL…or he will find himself another poor soul in Putin’s HIT LIST…