PETR (HE)
Physician, LGBT(+)-activist, LGBT historian, founder of the Queer Museum.
Now in active relocation due to pressure and threats from the authorities because of professional and activist activities.
We spoke to Peter when the Queer Museum he created was still open. Even before the interview’s publication, the law banning "LGBT propaganda" had been signed by the President of the Russian Federation and the museum was closed for a while. It was closed to survive and subsequently became a "Museum in Exile". A "refugee" museum, like Peter himself.
Physician, LGBT(+)-activist, LGBT historian, founder of the Queer Museum.
Now in active relocation due to pressure and threats from the authorities because of professional and activist activities.
We spoke to Peter when the Queer Museum he created was still open. Even before the interview’s publication, the law banning "LGBT propaganda" had been signed by the President of the Russian Federation and the museum was closed for a while. It was closed to survive and subsequently became a "Museum in Exile". A "refugee" museum, like Peter himself.
1
I was reassured that this is just a stage, a long ongoing process.
In December 2021, the Russian authorities closed down Memorial. I am a person who deals with history, the history of remembrance, among other things, and for me, it was a completely shocking event. Memorial is a foundation for the history of remembrance in Russia. And shutting it down like that… I understood this was the end for Russia and liberal Russian society. From now on, there will only be persecution and repression.
The thought of war has always been on my mind. In 2014, it was obvious that there would be a war, but I refused to believe in it now. I was reassured that it was one stage, a long-standing process. In February, the war started.
The thought of war has always been on my mind. In 2014, it was obvious that there would be a war, but I refused to believe in it now. I was reassured that it was one stage, a long-standing process. In February, the war started.
And then I realised I was just dying. It was impossible to believe it was happening to me, that it was happening around me. Half of my relatives were real fascists — even those who had been dissidents during the Soviet years. Those who were against the war did not speak out and kept quiet. You feel hunted and realise your head is about to be chopped off.
2
In fact, I've been in trouble with law enforcement for a long time.
I am a doctor, and a journalist friend of mine published an interview with “one resuscitator" on the eve of the coronavirus epidemic about how bad things are. The Investigative Committee has been breaking down my flat door all summer of 2020. Just to intimidate. They were talking to my neighbours. The homophobic activist Timur Bulatov (Isayev) came to my head doctor and insisted on firing me. But, thank God, my supervisors are adequate, and I am not a bad specialist. So I managed to fight back. And deputy Milonov's assistant Vladislav Terekhin (Vlad Lecter), threatened me and tried to recruit me as an informant.
3
I got really scared.
I have watched all independent media, most organisations, including LGBT organisations, being shut down. And now, I compare this announced "propaganda" law with the "Laboucher amendment". [Petr refers to several amendments signed by the President of the Russian Federation that prohibit any representation of LGBT people - ed.] A 19th-century British law against gays. It had extremely vague definitions. Both Wilde and Turing were convicted (actually murdered) for that law.
I realised that I was the first target of this law and that all the hate campaigns spreading in society would overwhelm me. Of course, it will overwhelm all of society. Laws like this that violate the basics of human rights are destroying the state. It's not judges who start ruling. It’s "men with sledgehammers". And these "men with sledgehammers" will go not only to LGBT people but to all of society.
4
Я занимаюсь проектами ЛГБТ истории.
Since 2014, I have been leading historical walks around St. Petersburg, holding events in memory of LGBT people who were victims of repression in the Soviet Union. This year I introduced the Hermitage's queer catalogue, in which you can see exhibits relating to queer culture.
For two years, I have collected artefacts of the homosexual subculture in Russia in the 19th and the first half of the 20th centuries. Everyone in my family is an artist, I was brought up to see beautiful things, and as a history enthusiast, I understand what they are tied to. For example, in my collection of early twentieth-century German lesbian porcelain: people in the Soviet Union called this tableware "The Madonna". There still don't seem to be any articles that study this phenomenon. I keep coming across such special pieces.
The museum opened shortly before the law was passed. I had planned to open it in September, but I became very afraid of what was happening in the country. And before the law was passed, I already had my visa approved. There was nothing to lose. I dreamt of opening this museum. And yes, I was willing to risk and open a museum to protest such blatant discrimination. Our museum exhibition shows that we survived both Stalin and Hitler, and we will also survive this.
For two years, I have collected artefacts of the homosexual subculture in Russia in the 19th and the first half of the 20th centuries. Everyone in my family is an artist, I was brought up to see beautiful things, and as a history enthusiast, I understand what they are tied to. For example, in my collection of early twentieth-century German lesbian porcelain: people in the Soviet Union called this tableware "The Madonna". There still don't seem to be any articles that study this phenomenon. I keep coming across such special pieces.
The museum opened shortly before the law was passed. I had planned to open it in September, but I became very afraid of what was happening in the country. And before the law was passed, I already had my visa approved. There was nothing to lose. I dreamt of opening this museum. And yes, I was willing to risk and open a museum to protest such blatant discrimination. Our museum exhibition shows that we survived both Stalin and Hitler, and we will also survive this.
5
The museum will remain in existence until the law is signed and published.
Several hundred people signed up for guided tours. In just under a week, the museum welcomed around 200 people. Unfortunately, not everyone will have time to visit. Projects of this kind have never caused such a furore in the past.
Once the law is published, the museum’s existence will become illegal, and the museum will be in danger. I will pack up the exhibits and take them to a safe place.
I plan to transfer this museum abroad and make it an independent project: a "museum in exile". The museum will have no imperial connotation. It is not a "Russian" museum. And it is a statement that the museum will return to Russia. But only when it is safe to do so.
Transporting a museum's collection is a big legal and financial burden. First, I will take care of my physical safety, and then deal with transportation problems. I hope to find collaborators in Germany, LGBT historians and interested people. Existing queer museums don't focus on vintage things, but I hope our museum will become a gathering place for collectors and its collection will grow.
I plan to transfer this museum abroad and make it an independent project: a "museum in exile". The museum will have no imperial connotation. It is not a "Russian" museum. And it is a statement that the museum will return to Russia. But only when it is safe to do so.
Transporting a museum's collection is a big legal and financial burden. First, I will take care of my physical safety, and then deal with transportation problems. I hope to find collaborators in Germany, LGBT historians and interested people. Existing queer museums don't focus on vintage things, but I hope our museum will become a gathering place for collectors and its collection will grow.
