07.07.2014
Dear friends, supporters, colleagues, activists, LGBTQ and their families!
"Coming Out" began to operate in 2008 - how much has changed since then! We really are changing the world, thanks to your support. Since 2008, every weekday, and often on the weekends, you can come to “Coming Out” and receive support, socialize, propose your ideas, write brochures, join street actions, or organize a festival or workshop.
Since 2011, when the bill banning "propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgenderism among minors" was first introduced into the city parliament, we’ve been working in two directions – defending interests of LGBTQ people, and defending the organization. Beginning with the early 2013, prosecutor inspections and legal proceedings against the organization began, authorities trying to prove that "Coming Out" is not an agent of social change, but a "foreign agent" – i.e. an organization engaged in political activities on behalf of foreign countries. Spies are also called “foreign agents" in Russia. In the event that "Coming Out" is labeled a "foreign agent", the organization's activities would be restricted. The label "foreign agent" on all the brochures, announcements, and website of the organization would be a sign for wider society that protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people is a strange, distant, "foreign", and, therefore unnecessary and even harmful idea. This is the main reason why we are not going to work under this label.
We are on the sixteenth month of inspections, trials, and appeals. In June, a law was passed giving Ministry of Justice power to register NGOs as “foreign agents” against their will. The question now is, what do we do? We know for sure that we will continue to support and advocate for the rights of LGBTQ people. There will be meetings and festivals, psychological and legal support, seminars and rallies. We need to stop and think of the “how.” Recuperate personal strength and organizational resources. Spend some time in silence and listen to ourselves.
In connection with this, we are announcing a three-week recess. From July 14 to August 4, "Coming Out" will be closed. We will not be in office, but do not worry and do not lose us. Before that time if you want to ask something, or just talk - visit us, write, or call.
After July 14, we will stop communicating and will see you on August 4.
With love,
Anna, Polina, Valya, Misha, Sasha, Masha, Kseniya, Dima, Marina