First Ever Russian LGBTQ Parade Last Weekend at Brighton Beach

Zainab Iqbal -

Over 200 people rallied at the Brighton Beach boardwalk in support of Russian LGBTQ pride, last Saturday, May 20.

The parade was organized by RUSA LGBT, a group that “provides informational support to asylum seekers and organizes social events to increase acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ people within the Russian-speaking public.” RUSA LGBT wanted an “end to Anti-LGBT Discrimination in Russian-Speaking Communities and Demands Equal Rights for All.”

“Unfortunately, Brighton Beach and other neighborhoods attracting Russian-speaking émigrés [immigrants] remain very homophobic and transphobic,” said Lyosha Gorshkov, co-president of RUSA LGBT. “Every day, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex individuals face discrimination in their homes, workplaces, and medical facilities. Many of our members even encounter physical and verbal abuse.”

The goal of RUSA LGBT was to march against hatred, for diversity, and to break through the taboo.

Hundreds of Brooklynites, as well supporters from the other boroughs, marched with posters with phrases such as “We Are Queer, We Live Here,” and “Human Rights For All in Chechnya.” Words such as ‘love’ and ‘pride’ were also shouted in Russian.  

Melissa Khaimova, a resident of Brighton Beach, was not able to attend the parade, but saw the pictures and believes that it was beautiful.

“It’s really great to see the Russian community growing to be a little more liberal, even if it was such a small part of it,” Khaimova said. “Things like this are meant to make the conservatives uncomfortable, and I hope it did.”

Khaimova believes this was an important step in acceptance and looks forward to the many more parades to come. And according to RUSA LGBT, there will be.