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What Ben Wright's protest against Russia means for equality What Ben Wright's protest against Russia means for equality
(14 days later)
A media storm has been gathering around stories of Russia's increasingly hardline homophobic culture, and around those protesting against it. Stephen Fry, a doughty grabber of headlines, recently called for a boycott of the Russian Winter Olympics. In New York, petitioners are demanding that the Metropolitan Opera House dedicates the opening night of its season to Russia's beleaguered lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. (Symbolically, the work being performed is an opera by Tchaikovsky, one of many great gay Russian artists – including Diaghilev, Mussorgsky and Gogol – who were forced to disguise or repress their sexuality.)A media storm has been gathering around stories of Russia's increasingly hardline homophobic culture, and around those protesting against it. Stephen Fry, a doughty grabber of headlines, recently called for a boycott of the Russian Winter Olympics. In New York, petitioners are demanding that the Metropolitan Opera House dedicates the opening night of its season to Russia's beleaguered lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. (Symbolically, the work being performed is an opera by Tchaikovsky, one of many great gay Russian artists – including Diaghilev, Mussorgsky and Gogol – who were forced to disguise or repress their sexuality.)
But another significant, if less public, voice has joined the protest – that of British choreographer Ben Wright. The Russian ministry of culture invited Wright to work on a new arts and culture programme designed to develop the contemporary arts in the country's more remote cities, which still suffer from Russia's decades-long isolation from mainstream western culture. Yet, as a gay man who feels his sexuality is an inherent part of his work and creative vision, Wright found it impossible to accept the invitation – despite the obvious pain of refusing his support to young artists who need it.But another significant, if less public, voice has joined the protest – that of British choreographer Ben Wright. The Russian ministry of culture invited Wright to work on a new arts and culture programme designed to develop the contemporary arts in the country's more remote cities, which still suffer from Russia's decades-long isolation from mainstream western culture. Yet, as a gay man who feels his sexuality is an inherent part of his work and creative vision, Wright found it impossible to accept the invitation – despite the obvious pain of refusing his support to young artists who need it.
Wright's reasons are outlined in a letter he posted on Facebook. "I have watched with growing dismay as the situation for LGBT individuals has intensified under Medvedev and Putin's systematic swathe of anti-gay legislation and institutionalised government homophobia," he wrote. "My queerness is an innate part of who I am, a quality that is not only profoundly reflected in the work I make but also impacted my entire outlook on life … But being privy to the absurd knowledge that foreigners can now be detained for up to 15 days and deported – as well as fined up to 100,000 rubles for 'promoting' a homosexual lifestyle – it would be foolhardy for me to attend these workshops for my own personal safety."Wright's reasons are outlined in a letter he posted on Facebook. "I have watched with growing dismay as the situation for LGBT individuals has intensified under Medvedev and Putin's systematic swathe of anti-gay legislation and institutionalised government homophobia," he wrote. "My queerness is an innate part of who I am, a quality that is not only profoundly reflected in the work I make but also impacted my entire outlook on life … But being privy to the absurd knowledge that foreigners can now be detained for up to 15 days and deported – as well as fined up to 100,000 rubles for 'promoting' a homosexual lifestyle – it would be foolhardy for me to attend these workshops for my own personal safety."
There is particular poignancy in a gay choreographer who refuses to go to Russia. Not long ago in the west, male dancers battled against the perception that everyone in their profession was gay. In Russia, however, dancers were afflicted by the reverse stereotype: that they were all heterosexual athletes and heroes of the state. One obvious reason why that view persisted is that until 1993 homosexuality was illegal in the country; the stereotype was also perpetuated by the very particular style of bravura male ballet that flourished during the Soviet era.There is particular poignancy in a gay choreographer who refuses to go to Russia. Not long ago in the west, male dancers battled against the perception that everyone in their profession was gay. In Russia, however, dancers were afflicted by the reverse stereotype: that they were all heterosexual athletes and heroes of the state. One obvious reason why that view persisted is that until 1993 homosexuality was illegal in the country; the stereotype was also perpetuated by the very particular style of bravura male ballet that flourished during the Soviet era.
Victims of that time included the young Rudolf Nureyev, who joined the Kirov Ballet in 1958. It was rumoured that this talented, headstrong dancer was gay, and the story that did the rounds of the Kirov (now the Mariinsky) just prior to his defection in 1961 illustrates how dangerous it would have been for Nureyev and his career. After he was seen quarrelling with his friend Yuri Soloviev – another stupendously gifted dancer – it was whispered that the authorities tried to incriminate Soloviev by setting him up to seduce Nureyev. Nothing was ever proved. Nureyev escaped to the west shortly after and Soloviev, whose own longing for freedom wasn't armed with the same desperate courage as his friend, later committed suicide.Victims of that time included the young Rudolf Nureyev, who joined the Kirov Ballet in 1958. It was rumoured that this talented, headstrong dancer was gay, and the story that did the rounds of the Kirov (now the Mariinsky) just prior to his defection in 1961 illustrates how dangerous it would have been for Nureyev and his career. After he was seen quarrelling with his friend Yuri Soloviev – another stupendously gifted dancer – it was whispered that the authorities tried to incriminate Soloviev by setting him up to seduce Nureyev. Nothing was ever proved. Nureyev escaped to the west shortly after and Soloviev, whose own longing for freedom wasn't armed with the same desperate courage as his friend, later committed suicide.
Even when Russia officially decriminalised homosexuality, the repressive influence of the church and state continued to put intolerable pressure on those in public life who were gay. As far as I'm aware, not a single prominent dancer or choreographer in Russia has come out since 1993.Even when Russia officially decriminalised homosexuality, the repressive influence of the church and state continued to put intolerable pressure on those in public life who were gay. As far as I'm aware, not a single prominent dancer or choreographer in Russia has come out since 1993.
It is a shame for Russia's LGBT community that Wright won't be participating in that government initiative, openly sharing the confidence and certainty he possesses as a gay man. For Russia's young artists, it's equally a shame that he won't be sharing his creative experience and commitment.It is a shame for Russia's LGBT community that Wright won't be participating in that government initiative, openly sharing the confidence and certainty he possesses as a gay man. For Russia's young artists, it's equally a shame that he won't be sharing his creative experience and commitment.
And yet making this stand may also have some effect. Wright's statement is public knowledge; his reasons for refusing the ministry's invitation have been discussed, sympathetically, with the individuals who issued it. His arguments will make no dent on official policy, but they may add a little bit of ammunition and nerve to the battles of individuals.And yet making this stand may also have some effect. Wright's statement is public knowledge; his reasons for refusing the ministry's invitation have been discussed, sympathetically, with the individuals who issued it. His arguments will make no dent on official policy, but they may add a little bit of ammunition and nerve to the battles of individuals.
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