In wartime, focus on ‘traditional values’ imperils Russia’s LGBTQ community

In 2020, LGBT activists took part in a protest against amendments to Russia's Constitution and the results of a nationwide vote on constitutional reforms, in Moscow. The placard pictured here reads: 'I don't recognise the authority that keeps me from having a family' [File: Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters]

In his early 20s, Mikhail* (not his real name), a gay man from the city of Ufa in Russia, was doing what he loved: drag performances.

“I was going on tour, to competitions; I met new artists and planned that drag would be the grandfather to my life,” he told Al Jazeera.