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For transgender Russians, a new law is making life even more difficult. The move to ban “LGBT propaganda” has been a big step backwards, according to activists. It has led to police raids on queer venues, and criminal charges against people who display the rainbow flag. It’s a climate of fear and marginalization that makes it even harder for LGBTQ+ people to live their lives in Russia.

The government has also banned sex change surgery and barred gender-neutral names, making it impossible for people to legally change their names on passports or other key documents. This is a significant blow to those who have already gone through the process and it will impact those who want to do so in the future.

Despite these pressures, many Russians who are openly gay or transgender say they will stay in their home country. Many are becoming more cautious in their public lives. The heightened political pressures have made them think twice about dating and having kids, some are unsure of their sexual orientation, and others have even stopped using social media.

The word “vatnik” has popped up in conversations with LGBTQ+ friends and acquaintances who have voiced concerns about the new laws. It is an insult that refers to Anton Chadskiy’s cartoon character, made of cotton wool jacket material (telogreika). The term has become popular on social networks and it is used by some in the LGBT community to disparage people who are uncritically patriotic or jingoistic, in an effort to delegitimize their views.