FOF #617 - From Russia with Love - 09.25.07

By Fausto Fernós on September 25, 2007 | | Link | Print |

 
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Nikolai Alexeyev on the Feast of Fools podcastRussian graduate student Nikolai Alexeyev got involved in the fight for gay rights in Russia when he wasn’t allowed to graduate from his Masters program because his thesis involved gay subject material.

This denial made Nikolai realize that he needed to advance social change in the Russia. He has certainly encountered a lot of resistance. The Mayor of Moscow thinks gays are an abomination and has vowed to ban gay pride parades in the Russian capital. Leaders of every major religious denomination in Moscow have successfully called for the “legal” banning of Gay Pride parades organized by Alexeyev and some of them have openly called for violence against Pride participants. Russian Orthodox priests went as far to bless neo-Nazi thugs before sending them off to attack gay clubs. Police have stood by while fascists have physically attacked Pride participants and then arrested the non-violent gay rights activists on trumped-up charges.

Nikolai05.jpgNikolai certainly has his hands full. That’s a lot of hate and discrimination to fight against. In order to bring wider attention to the Russian situation, theGay Liberation Network is bringing Alexeyev to Chicago for his first-ever USA visit on Monday, October 3rd with a series of appearances ending with a keynote address at the 9th annual Matthew Shepard March for Gay Freedom on the evening of October 6, 2007 at 8PM on the corner of Roscoe and Halsted Street in Chicago, Illinois.

Join us for today’s show as our good buddy Andy Thayer comes over to introduce us to Nikolai and chat about the problems that GLBT people face in Russia. We chat with Nikolai about how GLBT people cope with the current cultural climate in Russia, why President Putin stripped down for a photo shoot while vacationing with the Prince of Monaco and what non Russians can expect from gay Russian men.

ATTENTION CHICAGO LISTENERS:
Meet Nickolai Alexyeyev in Person
Wednesday OCT 3, 7pm
Gerber Hart Library
$25 Suggested Donation

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  • Gary T says:

    September 25, 2007 at 9:32 am

    What a GREAT SHOW! Thank you Nikolai for making a difference. Thank you Fausto, Marc & Andy for bringing us such an interesting guest.

    Reply

  • StevenvanL. says:

    September 25, 2007 at 10:50 am

    Interesting show, loved the accent and I like the pic you made for him - very Pierre & Giles!

    Reply

  • Ventura79 says:

    September 25, 2007 at 2:22 pm

    I am honestly amazed by the courage and determination Nikolai has, and the time and effort he invests for the GAY Cause, I wish that we had more people like that here in America, many times as Americans we take for granted the simple things we have, such as having a Gay Pride Parade, and to have people in Russia demonstrating against being opressed, is something worthy of admiration!

    I hope that people take a good message from him at the Mathew Shepard March and that his passion is passed down to many more of us!

    Awesome show guys.

    Reply

  • Eric says:

    September 25, 2007 at 5:12 pm

    A good interview. Though I was kinda put off by his response to what he would be if he could change himself I still think he is a courageous advocate and wish him the best of luck. I hope human rights movements continue to progress and Russia can get on with the times; a move to more liberal standpoints would help it politically and economically.

    Reply

  • Mike from Bolingbrook says:

    September 25, 2007 at 10:17 pm

    Russians are so hot!!!
    I am telling you.
    I got really busy today and almost forgot to comment because this the third week only I still have seven more comments to go!!!!

    Reply

  • matt says:

    September 25, 2007 at 11:11 pm

    I’ve always been fascinated by the “other places” concept, a grillion dollars spent and a grillion miles traveled I’ve decided to stick my head in the sand for a while — but in the meantime I’m so grateful to the FOF for being such a fantastic resource for people to articulate what goes on in their place while the listeners are in “other places”.

    Reply

  • Fausto Fernós says:

    September 26, 2007 at 2:36 am

    I’m not sure what you mean by the “other places” concept here Matt- you mean what’s it like to be gay in other parts of the world?

    Reply

  • Jesse Elliot says:

    September 26, 2007 at 8:28 am

    I haven’t even finished listening to this episode, but I just wanted to get a comment in saying I appreciate hearing in-depth interviews on LGBT issues in other countries. Thanks you guys!

    Reply

  • Mike from Bolingbrook says:

    September 27, 2007 at 4:04 pm

    who is this andy guy, he is taking over the podcast

    Reply

  • Kenny says:

    September 28, 2007 at 4:43 pm

    Courage to you, Nikolai and to every human being who stands up for equality. Thanks to you, FoF, for bringing attention to every cause for equality.

    Reply

  • Curtis says:

    October 2, 2007 at 9:59 am

    I so admire Nikolai for the amazing courage it takes to do do the hard work he is engaged in. It is humbling.

    I found his reaction to the “Break Down 2007″ fascinating. I think many of those questions not only don’t translate linguistically, but culturally. The fancy paint color question is based on a pure consumerist culture triviality. The Oprah question should be abandoned - maybe ask “What should Madonna be doing in 5 years?” She at least is internationally known. Even the Vagina Monologue question really requires understanding of the play “The Vagina Monologues” for it to make sense off the bat and not require a lengthy explanation from Fausto and Marc. It was painful to listen to. I really felt for Nikolai because as a guest you want so badly to not sound like an idiot, and being thrown questions that are culturally abstract and literally foreign to your way of thinking is tough.

    Reply

  • Larry La Fountain says:

    October 17, 2007 at 8:28 pm

    Good show! Very informative! But you sure tortured that poor boy with the Break Down 2007 questions… poor boy! I agree with Curtis (previous post)…

    Reply

  • Sarah in London says:

    November 5, 2007 at 5:35 am

    Wonderful show, really enjoyed this one. It’s so interesting to hear about the struggle for gay rights in other countries, particularly Russia where those who are in defiance of the government are risking a lot to speak out. Really wish I could be in Chicago to hear him speak - -perhaps he will make it to London some day?

    Reply

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    • About The Author: Fausto Fernós

    Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fausto Fernós created the Feast of Fools in 1998 as wacky artists variety show in Chicago, Illinois. Along with his partner Marc Felion, he hosts the world's most downloaded talk show for gay people on the internet, Feast of Fools. Fausto loves pomegranates, waterfalls and 70s retro funk music.
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