In a disturbing turn of events, Yulia Alyoshina, Russia’s first openly transgender politician, has revealed that she was coerced into detransitioning due to threats of being sent to a psychiatric hospital. The revelation illuminates the harsh and oppressive environment that the LGBTQ+ community in Russia has to endure under President Vladimir Putin’s rule.
Alyoshina, who made headlines last year for her bid to run for governor in Siberia’s Altai region as a member of the opposition Civic Initiative party, announced her detransition in May. She claimed at the time that she had “realized” she was a man and began using the name Roman Alyoshin. However, in an interview published on Tuesday with Novaya Gazeta Baltiya, Alyoshina disclosed that her posts on Telegram were made under duress, following insider information that the Russian authorities intended to incarcerate her in a psychiatric hospital.
“I made posts on my Telegram channel in May and June because of this stress,” Alyoshina told the news outlet. “I’ve been under severe stress since winter.”
The tactic of using psychiatric institutions to silence dissent has a long and dark history in Russia, dating back to the Soviet era. This method has seen a resurgence in recent years as a means to suppress political opposition and LGBTQ+ rights.
Seeking Refuge in the Church
In her quest for support, Alyoshina turned to the Russian Orthodox Church, hoping for compassion and assistance. Instead, she encountered “repulsive” treatment, adding to her already significant distress. The church, which has been a staunch supporter of Putin’s policies, failed to provide the solace she desperately needed.
Shortly after announcing her gubernatorial bid, President Vladimir Putin enacted a ban on legal and surgical sex changes, further tightening the noose on the LGBTQ+ community. The Supreme Court’s decision to outlaw the “international LGBT public movement” that followed resulted in police raids on gay bars, arrests for displaying “extremist symbols” like the rainbow flag, and criminal charges against members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Struggle for Existence
Alyoshina, who transitioned from male to female in 2020 after numerous psychiatric examinations and legal changes, has now found herself in an impossible situation. She sought clarification from the Supreme Court regarding her rights as a transgender person in Russia, but received a chilling response: the court “doesn’t provide explanations.”
“I’m in a situation where I have not much to lose now,” she told Novaya Gazeta Baltiya. The ongoing threat of persecution has made her fear for her safety and the possibility of never realizing her lifelong dream of having gender reassignment surgery.
A Brave Stand Against Oppression
Despite the oppressive environment, Alyoshina remains vocal about the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Russia. She criticizes the government’s policies as a means to enforce “traditional values” and suppress LGBTQ+ rights, leading to increased marginalization and fear among the community.
In her latest statement to CNN, Alyoshina expressed shame over her previous posts announcing her detransition, stating that they were made out of fear. “I wrote and said this out of fear because gender reassignment and the non-existent LGBTQ+ movement are prohibited in the Russian Federation,” she explained. “I was born a woman in a man’s body.”
Her courageous stance serves as a beacon of hope for transgender individuals in Russia and worldwide. “I would like to convey the message: Don’t give up, keep fighting. As long as we keep fighting, we are alive,” Alyoshina said.
The Impact of Draconian Policies
The legislation that Putin signed in July 2023, which forbids almost all medical assistance for transgender people, including gender reassignment surgery, has had disastrous effects. It bars transgender individuals from adopting children and allows authorities to annul their marriages, effectively stripping them of their fundamental rights.
These measures, coupled with laws targeting so-called “LGBTQ propaganda,” are part of a broader policy to suppress any form of dissent and enforce a homogeneous cultural identity. Human rights organizations have widely criticized these policies, highlighting their detrimental impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals.
The future for transgender individuals in Russia looks bleak. According to a 2021 study by the transgender support group T-Action in Russia, at least 30,000 transgender people have changed their legal documents or sought medical attention. However, the actual number is likely much higher, despite many transgender individuals fleeing the country due to the oppressive environment.
Alyoshina’s story underscores the urgent need for international solidarity and support for the LGBTQ+ community in Russia. Her brave decision to speak out, despite the personal risks, serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and courage required to stand against oppression.
The Bottom Line
Yulia Alyoshina’s plight is a stark illustration of the dangers faced by transgender individuals in Russia. Her forced detransition and the threats of psychiatric incarceration reveal the lengths to which the Putin government will go to suppress dissent and maintain control. Alyoshina’s story serves as a call to action for the international community to support and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, ensuring that people like Alyoshina are not silenced by oppression and fear as she continues to fight for her rights and the rights of others.
