Contemporary Queer Art and Activism in Russia brings together academic and activist perspectives from Professor Dan Healey, Anastasiia Fedorova, and Olga Doletskaya on the difficult last decade of modern Russian history, and the beauty and struggle of LGBTQ+ self-expression under increasingly authoritarian rule.

In the midst of the Russian government’s homophobic rhetoric, the 2013 ‘anti-gay propaganda law’ and other homophobic measures, the last 10 years simultaneously saw a radical increase in Russian queer media, art, public testimonials and self-expression; a kind of queer Renaissance. Is there space for queer joy in Russia LGBTQ+ activism and self-expression? What is the role of Western LGBTQ+ culture and unique Russian queerness? What direction is Russian queer art and activism headed in considering recent political events and a crackdown on free speech and journalism?

What does the future hold for LGBTIQ+ Bulgarians abroad and at home? This event aims to bring the Bulgarian LGBTIQ+ community in London together and introduce the work of Deystvie.

Deystvie is dedicated to bringing change to the lives of LGBTIQ+ people in Bulgaria. We are coming to London for the first time this autumn to meet with the Bulgarian LGBTIQ+ community and allies, which have been supporting our work for years!