going to win. He’s running to raise awareness to inequality in Russia and to bolster his political profile. HIV POZ Gay Candidate “It is an illusion that Russia is for Moscow Mayor a homophobic By Jennifer Davis country by its nature,” Krasovsky says. Russia isn’t exactly known for “People do not care if you are its gay-friendliness, fair homosexual or not, nor is elections, or tolerance for anybody interested in your HIV political debate. But that’s not or any other health problems.” stopping Anton Krasovsky from running for mayor of Moscow. Hmmm. We’re not entirely sure about that. The country does 42-year-old Krasovsky is have those homophobic poised to be the first openly “gay propaganda” laws. gay, HIV-positive political And let’s not forget candidate ever to run for office about the kidnappings in the country, though it’s not and killings of LGBTQ totally clear if he’ll actually be people in Chechnya. allowed on the ballot. Still, he’s Still, Krasovsky says going to try because, as he puts it, “everything sucks here.” his sexuality and HIV Yeah, we know the feeling. status have never been To be clear: The former an issue for him. Russian news anchorman “My homosexuality has doesn’t actually think he’s
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never helped me but it has never been in the way of my career goals,” he maintains. Except for the time he was fired from his job as a host on Internet Kontr TV in 2013 when he announced, “I am gay but I am just as human as Putin.” Krasovsky needs to gather signatures of 110 municipal deputies before July 3 to see if he can even run. “I want to take part in the election to show the current political elite how to fight for human rights and freedom,” he says. We wish him all the best!