The lawmakers in Russia are currently mulling over tightening their LGBTQ propaganda law that restricts the discussions around “non-traditional sexual relations” with minors ever since it came into effect in 2013. The lawmakers of the country have now submitted legislation that would ban any information that can be considered “LGBTQ propaganda” by the authorities. Amid the talks of increasing the restriction on this law, Russia’s highest-ranked women’s tennis player, Daria Kasatkina has come out as a lesbian.
In an interview with a Youtuber, the French Open semifinalist, Daria Kasatkina was asked if she has a girlfriend to which she responded yes and also criticised Russia for its views on homosexuality and its attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community. Speaking about it, the star tennis player said that “living in the closet, as they say, is pointless”. Daria added that there is no point as things keep running in one’s head until they speak up about it but each person gets to decide how and how much they want to open up. The tennis player further said that there are too many “taboo topics” in Russia and according to her it’s important that influential people from all spheres including sports, speak up about it. She went on to add that this is essential for young people who have a tough time with society and need support.
When asked about what she wants most in life, the Russian tennis player said that she simply wants the Russia-Ukraine war to end while calling it a “complete nightmare”. 25-year-old Daria Kasatkina broke down when she was asked if she fears that she won’t be able to return to Russia after her comments in the interview. FYI, Russian authorities insist that the Russia-Ukraine war is not referred to as a war but as a “special military operation” and the criticism of the war or the country’s military is a punishable offence and the offender can be punished with a fine or prison time.
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Soon after the interview, Daria Kasatkina shared a picture of herself hugging a woman, a Russian-Estonian figure skater, Natalia Zabiiako, on Instagram and on Twitter. She captioned the picture, “My cutie pie”.
For the unversed, if the LGBTQ propaganda legislation is passed it would restrict any discussion about LGBTQ relationships, any “information that denies family values” and any “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” with people of any age group. The legislation calls the public approval and recognition of it is “dangerous” for the “whole society”. It would also allow the country to ban any websites that have information regarding the same.