The Personal
is Political
A special issue with 15 stories on personal experiences of queer people from Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and South Caucasus.
Foreword
Welcome to our second special issue, where we delve into the powerful narratives of queer individuals from Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and South Caucasus. Inspired by the revolutionary slogan of the 1960s Second Wave Feminism, “The Personal is Political,” we aim to emphasize the significance of personal experiences in the political realities.
In today’s world, queer bodies find themselves at the forefront of political battles worldwide. On its virtual pages, the issue presents 15 intimate narratives of queer resilience against the backdrop of medical, state, and media institutions.
These stories touch on several topics, including disability rights in Kyrgyzstan, stories of gender transitioning in Armenia and Azerbaijan, and harrowing accounts of police brutality in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Furthermore, we venture into the shocking realities of incarceration faced by queer individuals in the otherwise closed world of Uzbekistan.
Amidst the struggles and adversity, this issue celebrates the importance of human connection, compassion, and solidarity. We share stories of migration from Belarus and the complexities of navigating the European bureaucratic machine. We also commend the bravery of queer women who chose to protect Ukraine at war (this story is coming soon).
“The Personal is Political” is not only about hardship but also about self-discovery and acceptance. We proudly present narratives of coming out to oneself and to loved ones, capturing the joy and relief of finding one’s own community in countries like Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.
In addition to written accounts, the issue includes video interviews that explore the queer experience in the Moldovan capital, Chișinău, and the intricate relationship queer bodies have with public spaces. Moreover, a short documentary from Armenia takes us on a journey of using humor as a tool for self-reflection, highlighting the complexities of being a queer and colonial subject in Armenia.
This issue is a testament to the bravery, strength, and perseverance of queer individuals who face immense challenges in their quest for equality and recognition. Together, let us continue to amplify these voices and support the ongoing fight for queer rights worldwide. Please support us by reading and spreading these stories!
Unit team,
Pavel, Saltanat and Vika
Opinions expressed in the articles are solely the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Unit team. That said, any and all feedback is very welcome, reach us at unit@n-ost.org or via the contact form.
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Shelters, Help for Queer People and Support: How Uzhhorod Became a New Home for LGBTQI+ People
“This Is My Feminist Manifesto”
Behind the Mask: Contemporary Drag Culture in Kazakhstan
Queer Self-Expression in Kyrgyzstan: Between Cultural Norms and Personal Values
Three Stories from Moldova: Drag, Cinema, Literature
Chemo Dao
Drag in Armenia: An Evolution of the Artform
Guess the Fact – Queer Artist Edition
“Discover Your Own Point of Tension and Pleasure. Trust Both”
Colourful Petals
Emotions. Feelings. Uzbekistan
Peculiarities of Running LGBTQ Spaces in Kazakhstan
Defying Boundaries: Azerbaijan’s Drag Star
“In Prison, They Named Me Rayhon”
From Street Violence to Stand-Up Scene
“The Most Important Thing For Me Is That My Son Is Happy”
“There Are Things One Doesn’t Choose”
“I Was Told I Had Disgraced Kazakhstan”
I Am Queer, but Am I Safe?
“If Your Protesting Hand Gets Tired, I’ll Be There To Take It”
Trans Solidarity Against Bigoted Institutions
“I Gave Up a Lot To Be Who I Am”
Influence
A Story of One Migration
“If We Call the Police, They Laugh at Us”
In Armenia, Trans Community Faces Fear, Neglect
No Trauma, No Drama. Rewriting Media LGBTQI+ Narratives
What if homophobia in Central Asia is a product of colonialism?
Russian Propaganda’s Influence on Soviet and Post-Soviet Homophobic Narratives in South Caucasus
Russian Colonialism and Homophobia in Moldova
Migration Is the Path to Freedom. A Photo Report about Sumaya
Russia’s Homophobic Law Inspires Azerbaijani Political Elites
“I Put a Lid On My Sexual Orientation, I Buried It”: Life of LGBTQ+ People in the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine
Non-traditional Values: Did Uzbekistan Inherit Homophobia and Family Concepts from Soviet Union?
Gay Pride Parade, “Dazhynki” or White March: which holiday suits “Belarusians of the future”?
Beyond Blurred Existence
Kazakhstan’s and Russia’s LGBTIQ+ Legislation: Why It Matters
ASL
“I dreamt of waking up as a girl”: a story of gender transition in Tajikistan
“Help Rather than Pretend to Help”: Who Saves Queer People from War in Ukraine
Russists’ hunt for LGBT people and military relatives and kidnapping of children: Life in Kherson in wait for Ukrainian Army
Co-owner of a doughnut shop in Kyiv on raising money for Ukraine’s Armed Forces and helping LGBTQ military
The Great Mothers. LGBTIQ+ and feminist characters in Kazakh fairy tales
The unprotected: Police offer scant safety for Azerbaijan’s LGBTQI+
