Country Quote by Masha Gessen
“Were there open gays and lesbians before the West started influencing Russia? No, there weren't. In fact, the most out person in the country, until recently, was me. I turned gay in America. I was a nice Soviet fourteen-year-old when I left, and I came back a lesbian.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: “LGBTQ+ in Post‑Soviet Russia” with Masha Gessen, 2022
The speaker reflects on personal sexual identity transformation and the rarity of openly queer individuals in Russia before Western influence.
In simple terms: Coming out in Russia was rare; the speaker’s journey shows personal change.
Key Takeaway
Recognize personal growth amid societal constraints.
Themes
identity
culture
LGBTQ+
migration
Mood
reflective
determined
Type
interview
personal narrative
When to use this quote
- coming out
- discussing sexuality
- cultural comparison
Key Concepts
personal narrative
social change
visibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How does migration affect sexual identity?
- What barriers exist for LGBTQ+ visibility in Russia?
A Different Perspective
Western influence may not be the sole catalyst for change.
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
