Crimean LGBT Community in Transition

November 11, 2014 | Pulitzer Center

Misha Friedman

For 20 years, Ezhi (Hedgehog) has been the main gay bar in all of Crimea. This year, very few visitors came. Image by Misha Friedman. Crimea, 2014.

Andrei and Oleg live in Simferopol. Despite loosing their jobs as outreach workers to gay men, they welcome Crimea becoming part of Russia and have no problems with Russia's gay propaganda laws. They don't see it as something that can affect them. Image by Misha Friedman. Crimea, 2014.

Andrei P. sells western designer clothing in Simferopol. This year, popular western brands like H&M and Zara were scheduled to open their stores in Crimea. He feared that it would force him out of business. Because of sanctions, those western brands never came and his business is thriving. Image by Misha Friedman. Crimea, 2014.

Andrei P. has mixed feelings about the annexation: His business is doing great, but he can no longer visit his boyfriend in Odessa as easily as before. Image by Misha Friedman. Crimea, 2014.

Boghdan and Yegor together with their son Timur at a playground in central Sevastopol. They have been together for 15 years and their son is two. They have received threats and have decided to relocate to Kiev. Image by Misha Friedman. Crimea, 2014.

Timur is having his passport photo taken, while his dads do everything possible to keep him still. Image by Misha Friedman. Crimea, 2014.

Boghdan designs and makes underwear and swimwear for his brand m8mate.com. It's an online business that has been hurt by problems sending and receiving mail in Russian-occupied Crimea. Image by Misha Friedman. Crimea, 2014.

Yegor, Boghdan and Timur in their new apartment in Kiev. Image by Misha Friedman. Crimea, 2014.

Yegor, Boghdan and Timur on a balcony of a friend's apartment in Kiev. Their immediate priorities after moving were to find daycare and babysitters for Timur. Image by Misha Friedman. Crimea, 2014.

After receiving warnings and threats, Yegor renamed his bar in Sevastopol. It closed its doors November 1st and will reopen after renovations to make it more palatable for new Russian authorities. Image by Misha Friedman. Crimea, 2014.

With Russia annexing Crimea earlier this year, life has changed in unwelcome ways for nearly everyone in the LGBT community. Some have left Crimea, while others are adjusting to the harsh new political and social realities of homophobic Russia. Photojournalist Misha Friedman has been documenting the plight of a community under siege.