Leaving Russia Behind: My Path to Freedom and Authenticity in the U.S.

Moving from Russia to the United States wasn't a difficult decision for me. In fact, it was a natural and clear choice. Since childhood, I felt disconnected from Russia—its mindset, its culture, and especially its increasing hostility toward personal freedoms. Being bisexual only reinforced my desire to leave a place that had long stopped feeling like home.

Over the past decade, the Russian government has systematically targeted the LGBT+ community, stripping away rights, dignity, and visibility. In 2013, Russia enacted the infamous "gay propaganda" law, banning the promotion of "non-traditional sexual relationships" among minors. By 2022, this legislation expanded to criminalize any public acknowledgment of LGBT+ identities, effectively silencing queer voices.

The crackdown intensified dramatically in July 2023 with the prohibition of gender transition, outlawing legal changes to documentation and medical procedures. Additionally, Russia's Supreme Court classified the LGBT+ movement as an extremist organization in November 2023, placing it on the same list as terrorist groups.

These legal changes aren't just formalities—they carry severe consequences. Individuals have been fined, detained, and publicly shamed simply for displaying rainbow symbols or expressing support online. One woman was sentenced to jail for wearing rainbow earrings after being violently attacked. Hate crimes against LGBT+ people frequently go ignored or, worse, actively supported by authorities.

In Russia today, expressing yourself authentically is dangerous. Polls reveal worsening attitudes toward LGBT+ people, with a declining percentage believing in equal rights. This hostility extends beyond sexuality and gender identity, affecting feminists, progressive youth, and even individuals advocating personal freedoms like the childfree movement.

For me, leaving wasn't an act of desperation—it was an affirmation of strength. I refused to live in fear or compromise my identity. My decision to seek political asylum in the U.S. was driven by clarity, determination, and self-respect, not victimhood. Although I encountered challenges and occasional hostility in Russia due to my sexual orientation, these experiences only strengthened my resolve. Returning there is simply not an option for me. Given the current legislation and the classification of LGBT+ activism as extremism, returning to Russia would now be genuinely dangerous for me, particularly considering my public identification as bisexual and my decision to openly seek asylum based on sexual orientation.

Here, in America, I finally live openly and without fear of persecution. I'm aware of my privilege and responsibility, and I will always speak up against injustice.

Living openly and authentically is a freedom I deeply value. Reflecting on my journey reminds me of how vital this freedom is, and how significant it was to find a place where I can simply be myself without fear.