KREMLIN TARGETS LGBT COMMUNITY

In New Crackdown

Danya performs a horror-themed drag show that has elements of Halloween. The 22-year-old frequently played at Gender Blender, a gay dance night in St. Petersburg. But after a new anti-LGBT law was passed by the Russian Parliament in December, the project has now canceled its events. The majority of Danya’s work has stopped.

“I’m the only monster drag queen in Russia,” Danya tells BBC as he applies ghostly-white make-up in front of a mirror. We’re sitting in his kitchen, a rainbow flag adorning the wall.

“According to the law, it’s forbidden to do what we’re doing,” Danya says. “We’re a lot more anxious now. The risks are much higher.” new rule across all age categories. This “offense” carries a maximum fine of 400,000 rubles ($5,840), with substantially larger fines for organizations or journalists.