HELPING LGBTQ+ PEOPLE

FEEL SAFER IN RUSSIA

Мы — ЛГБТК+ группа «Выход»

WE ARE COMING OUT

AN LGBTQ+ INITIATIVE

We protect LGBTQ+ rights and help queer people feel more at peace in Russia.

Our main goal is to secure equal rights for everyone regardless of sexuality and gender identity on a national level, both institutionally and socially. We’ve been working towards it since 2008.

WITHIN 15 YEARS OF EXISTENCE

WITHIN 14 YEARS

OF EXISTENCE

‘COMING OUT’ HAS PROVIDED:

psychological consultations

legal advice consultations

career consultations

peer-to-peer consultations for trans*-people

support in organization of Queerfests

WHAT DOES COMING OUT DO?

WHY DO LGBTQ+ PEOPLE NEED HELP?

Being an LGBTQ+ person in Russia is a catch-22.

Queer people encounter discrimination and prejudice-based violence regularly and almost everywhere. It could happen anywhere: at their workplace, while pursuing education, at home, and while seeking medical attention.

The police and the court, created to protect people do just the opposite in reality, dismissing formal complaints about discrimination. The “homopropaganda ban” hinders our attempts to voice our concerns. Other Russian laws do not protect LGBTQ+, sowing hatred in aggression in the general society.

Our government persecutes individuals and human rights protection initiatives, as well as small businesses meet with censorship and pressure from enforcers.

Beneficiary stories

Yulia, lesbian, from St Petersburg

In 2020, Yulia’s relationship with her girlfriend became problematic. Quarrels grew into cheating, everyday problems turned into colossal misunderstandings, driving the two to the verge of breakup. The couple stopped talking to each other, being certain that the situation was totally beyond repair.

So, Yulia decided to seek therapy, but the thought of opening up to a potentially unfriendly therapist and facing homophobia frightened her; she didn’t want to add more problems to their lives. Yulia discovered Coming Out on the internet and applied for therapy. After two sessions only, the girls started communicating again. They came to the third session as a couple already.

The psychologist helped Yulia and her girlfriend get to the roots of their miscommunication and gave them hope that their relationship could be restored. After the joint sessions Yulia continued her work with the same Coming Out specialist on a commercial basis. During this time, the girl's life has changed dramatically: she has become a different person.

Julia said: “I started looking into the future with confidence, quit an unenjoyable job. I learned to overcome my shyness and habitual reclusiveness that are caused by the prejudice I constantly experience. Now, I feel like I have begun living my life for real.”

The main point is that Yulia has managed to reconcile with her girlfriend, they moved in together and are currently planning to get married. The couple has realized that confronting their issues directly is better than avoiding them; they are working with two different therapists now.

After some time, the two are planning to seek help from Coming Out again. They want to have children, so they are going to attend group support meetings for LGBTQ+ parents. Yulia is confident that their relationship with Coming Out is far from breaking up as well.

Ekaterina, lesbian, from St Petersburg

Ekaterina and her girlfriend didn’t have many relationship issues in the beginning. At a certain point, however, she noticed constant depression and guilt within herself, and realized she was reproached by her loved one all the time.

“Our relationship had become codependent and abusive. I constantly felt like I was being manipulated. It was hard for me to endure it, but the thought of ending the relationship was even more unbearable,” Ekaterina reported.

The girls sought a family therapist. During the search, they found out they could get free therapy sessions at Coming Out. After several couple therapy sessions, the girls’ relationship took a turn for the better. Still, Ekaterina went on to take regular meetings with the specialist, feeling that the problems had not been resolved completely. She needed not search for a place to turn to: Coming Out became a trusted source of aid and understanding for her. A psychologist was picked, and the therapy course lasted another year.

Working with a professional had yielded results. “These consultations have changed me greatly. I understand now that the actions and decisions other people take are not my responsibility. I learned to set my personal boundaries and estimate my own capabilities. Most importantly, I gained self-confidence like never before.”

In the end, Ekaterina decided to end the relationship that was tormenting her. Now she doesn’t understand why she had succumbed to such manipulation. Ekaterina has entered a new, healthy relationship. Thanks to the therapist from Coming Out, the girl has realized that there is always hope for help. She feels like a whole new person and is ready to build a happy life.

«Coming Out is a sliver of light and amongst the sickening darkness that overtook our country», – Ekaterina describes her experience with us.

Anastasia, nonbinary person, from Rostov-on-Don

Anastasia had heard about Coming Out from friends who had already received help there. After coming out to her parents, Anastasia was in need of assistance herself. Her parents received the news very badly, and scandals began in the family. Struggling with constant anxiety, the girl applied for free psychological consultations. The therapy sessions helped Anastasia overcome depression and made her feel safe enough to move on with the life that she, not her parents, had chosen.

In 2023, Anastasia witnessed her younger brother being beaten by their mother. To save her brother from domestic abuse and violence, she decided to apply to the court to become his guardian and deprive their mother of parental rights. For fear of being discriminated against, she didn’t turn to Russian legal organizations and came to Coming Out requesting legal advice this time. Our lawyer told her in detail how exactly one should justify their request, prove their point, and also informed her of the problems that may arise on each step of the legal procedure. Anastasia is busy preparing evidence and documents for the court. She knows that on any stage of the process she will be welcomed and provided aid and support in Coming Out.