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Photos: Russian drag stars leave fears of persecution backstage

At the Fame Club, in the foothills of the Ural Mountains deep in Russia's interior, no one judges anyone. Everyone is comfortable, and gay, lesbian and heterosexual couples mingle. As long as the World Cup is under way and the international spotlight is shining on Russia, authorities are forced to ease their pressure on the LGBT community. But some worry about what happens after the tournament ends. Others hope hosting the World Cup will open minds and encourage more tolerance among the conservative populace.

Updated on: Jul 12, 2018 11:07 AM IST

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1/10

Sergey (L), who uses the stage name Bomba, and Andrei, who goes by Star Vasha apply make-up backstage at the Fame gay club in Yekaterinburg, Russia. In this modest dressing room, the men apply eye shadow with an expert touch, slide on fishnet stockings or thigh-high boots, then take to the stage with an uninhibited freedom they can only enjoy within the walls of this nightclub. (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

Updated on Jul 12, 2018 11:07 AM

Sergey (L), who uses the stage name Bomba, and Andrei, who goes by Star Vasha apply make-up backstage at the Fame gay club in Yekaterinburg, Russia. In this modest dressing room, the men apply eye shadow with an expert touch, slide on fishnet stockings or thigh-high boots, then take to the stage with an uninhibited freedom they can only enjoy within the walls of this nightclub. (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

2/10

In a country where gay “propaganda” is banned and LGBT rights routinely repressed, the Fame Club in Yekaterinburg is a refuge. While football fans attend a World Cup match in the city’s stadium, singers and dancers who call themselves Bomba, Star Vasha, Africa and others prepare to perform. (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

Updated on Jul 12, 2018 11:07 AM

In a country where gay “propaganda” is banned and LGBT rights routinely repressed, the Fame Club in Yekaterinburg is a refuge. While football fans attend a World Cup match in the city’s stadium, singers and dancers who call themselves Bomba, Star Vasha, Africa and others prepare to perform. (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

3/10

Choosing from hundreds of shades of lip tones and eye colour, pulling up leotards with tattooed arms, they design a new persona. Star Vasha squeezes into a shimmering yellow gown, wrists draped in strings of pearls. (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

Updated on Jul 12, 2018 11:07 AM

Choosing from hundreds of shades of lip tones and eye colour, pulling up leotards with tattooed arms, they design a new persona. Star Vasha squeezes into a shimmering yellow gown, wrists draped in strings of pearls. (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

4/10

Africa slips on a fire-red wig, and smokes quietly. Waiting to take the stage, one checks a cell phone. Two performers share a pre-show kiss, barely touching so as not to smudge their flawless lipstick. (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

Updated on Jul 12, 2018 11:07 AM

Africa slips on a fire-red wig, and smokes quietly. Waiting to take the stage, one checks a cell phone. Two performers share a pre-show kiss, barely touching so as not to smudge their flawless lipstick. (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

5/10

Bomba dons an embroidered Slavic-style blouse and headgear topped with a silver star, reminiscent of the stars perched on the towers of the Kremlin. When she performs a Russian traditional dance, the crowd goes wild. (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

Updated on Jul 12, 2018 11:07 AM

Bomba dons an embroidered Slavic-style blouse and headgear topped with a silver star, reminiscent of the stars perched on the towers of the Kremlin. When she performs a Russian traditional dance, the crowd goes wild. (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

6/10

Outside, the men lead a different life, where they don’t advertise their sexual preferences for fear of professional, personal or even physical backlash. A rainbow-colored card tucked in a mirror is both a statement and reminder that, while Pride marches took place this weekend in London, Madrid and other European capitals, displaying rainbow flags in public in Russia can violate the law. (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

Updated on Jul 12, 2018 11:07 AM

Outside, the men lead a different life, where they don’t advertise their sexual preferences for fear of professional, personal or even physical backlash. A rainbow-colored card tucked in a mirror is both a statement and reminder that, while Pride marches took place this weekend in London, Madrid and other European capitals, displaying rainbow flags in public in Russia can violate the law. (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

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“In the company of friends you can say whatever you want, but in society you don’t,” says Star Vasha, who has a crush on football star Cristiano Ronaldo. Africa, aka Dmitry, describes how he stays safe in the face of a mentality of “pitchforks and torches” toward Russia’s LGBT community: “When people talk about homosexuality, you try to change the subject.” And leave your bright-colored sneakers at home. (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

Updated on Jul 12, 2018 11:07 AM

“In the company of friends you can say whatever you want, but in society you don’t,” says Star Vasha, who has a crush on football star Cristiano Ronaldo. Africa, aka Dmitry, describes how he stays safe in the face of a mentality of “pitchforks and torches” toward Russia’s LGBT community: “When people talk about homosexuality, you try to change the subject.” And leave your bright-colored sneakers at home. (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

8/10

Dmitry, or Africa (L), and Sergey, or Bomba smoke backstage at the Fame gay club. He fears kissing his boyfriend in public, but dreams of one day being able to marry and pleads for more “human understanding” toward people like him. “I understood from my very birth that I’m not like others,” Dmitry said. “You were born heterosexual, and I don’t detest you for that.” (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

Updated on Jul 12, 2018 11:07 AM

Dmitry, or Africa (L), and Sergey, or Bomba smoke backstage at the Fame gay club. He fears kissing his boyfriend in public, but dreams of one day being able to marry and pleads for more “human understanding” toward people like him. “I understood from my very birth that I’m not like others,” Dmitry said. “You were born heterosexual, and I don’t detest you for that.” (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

9/10

As long as the World Cup is under way and the international spotlight is shining on Russia, authorities are forced to ease their pressure on the LGBT community. But some worry about what happens after the tournament ends. Others hope hosting the World Cup will open minds and encourage more tolerance among the conservative populace. (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

Updated on Jul 12, 2018 11:07 AM

As long as the World Cup is under way and the international spotlight is shining on Russia, authorities are forced to ease their pressure on the LGBT community. But some worry about what happens after the tournament ends. Others hope hosting the World Cup will open minds and encourage more tolerance among the conservative populace. (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

10/10

At the Fame Club, in the foothills of the Ural Mountains deep in Russia’s interior, no one judges anyone. Everyone is comfortable, and gay, lesbian and heterosexual couples mingle. Backstage, performers are sometimes pensive. But sometimes laughter takes over, and broad smiles are all you see. (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

Updated on Jul 12, 2018 11:07 AM

At the Fame Club, in the foothills of the Ural Mountains deep in Russia’s interior, no one judges anyone. Everyone is comfortable, and gay, lesbian and heterosexual couples mingle. Backstage, performers are sometimes pensive. But sometimes laughter takes over, and broad smiles are all you see. (Vadim Ghirda / AP)

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