Russian Transgender Politician’s Jaw-Dropping Reversal!

Yulia Alyoshina, the country’s first and only openly transgender politician, has made headlines again. Initially announcing her detransition earlier this year, Alyoshina now admits that fear of Russia’s stringent laws against gender reassignment influenced her decision. “I wrote and said this out of fear because gender reassignment and the non-existent LGBTQ+ movement are prohibited in the Russian Federation,” she told CNN. “I was born a woman in a man’s body.” Her story underscores the perilous existence faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Russia.

Alyoshina, who transitioned from male to female in 2020, underwent multiple psychiatric examinations before successfully changing her name and gender marker on official documents. “It was my sincere desire,” she explained, reflecting on the years of struggle leading up to her transition. However, the fear of persecution loomed large, especially after she appealed to the Russian Supreme Court for clarification on new legal restrictions that could label her as an extremist.

In May, Alyoshina made a dramatic shift by reverting to her pre-transition name and photo on Telegram, a move she now describes as driven by “spiritual anguish” during Orthodox Lent. The announcement, accompanied by a patriotic declaration, seemed to signal a retreat into conformity with Russia’s oppressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights. “I am a patriot of my country, that’s why I live in Russia,” she stated, offering little detail at the time, citing safety concerns.

On Wednesday, Alyoshina revealed to CNN the true extent of her fears. After her appeal to the Supreme Court in early 2024, her anxiety spiraled, driven by a sense that “the state repressive machine could turn on.” This dread, coupled with the tightening of regulations that could thwart her lifelong dream of undergoing gender reassignment surgery, made the threat of persecution palpable. “I began sleeping poorly and waking up early, by springtime my anxiety and depression worsened,” she confessed.

Trapped within Russia’s borders and unable to escape, Alyoshina remains in a state of precariousness, but she feels compelled to live authentically. “I’m just tired of playing someone else’s role. I’m tired of pretending to be a man,” she declared. Her decision to speak out is a testament to her resilience and dedication to the LGBTQ+ cause, as she remains vocal about the discrimination faced by her community. “I hope my post will provide moral support to transgender people,” Alyoshina expressed, highlighting the systemic barriers that prevent transgender individuals from altering their documents, even after a medical diagnosis.

In a move that intensified the plight of the LGBTQ+ community, President Vladimir Putin signed a law in July 2023, severely restricting medical assistance for transgender individuals, including gender reassignment surgery, except in cases involving “birth anomalies” in children. The law also prevents transgender people from adopting children and allows the annulment of their marriages, further alienating them from societal norms.

These draconian measures, coupled with the December 2022 laws targeting “LGBTQ propaganda,” form a broader strategy by the Russian government to impose so-called “traditional values.” The legislation has faced international condemnation from human rights groups and has plunged the LGBTQ+ community into a deepening crisis of fear and marginalization.

Alyoshina’s personal journey mirrors the broader struggles faced by LGBTQ+ Russians. In October 2022, she resigned from her position as the regional head of the Civic Initiative party following the first reading of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill in the State Duma. “I have no idea how to continue to conduct public political activity as an openly transgender woman,” she confessed on Telegram. Despite the setback, she announced a brief campaign for governor in the Altai region in 2023, only to later withdraw.

In her interview with CNN during the legislative process, Alyoshina condemned the law, describing it as “just another brick in building an autocracy in Russia.” She recounted her experiences of discrimination as a transgender politician and voiced concerns about the law’s ramifications on the lives of all LGBTQ+ individuals in Russia.

Research by T-Action, a Russian transgender support group, estimated that at least 30,000 transgender people sought medical treatment or changed their legal documents by 2021. However, the actual figures are likely higher, as many transgender individuals are unable to leave the country. “Understandably, the majority stayed. It is not so easy to leave, especially for a transgender person,” explained Anton Macintosh, T-Action’s coordinator, to CNN.

In a country where LGBTQ+ rights are increasingly under siege, Alyoshina’s defiance serves as a beacon of hope for many. When asked about her message to fellow transgender Russians, she said, “I would like to convey the message: Don’t give up, keep fighting. As long as we keep fighting, we are alive.” Her courage and determination provide a glimmer of resilience in a nation where being true to oneself can be a radical act of resistance.