Oppressed Russian LGBTQ Couples Are Refusing To Apologize For Their Love

Russians are considered to be among the most hostile Christian societies towards LGBTQ communities, but that doesn’t stop their people from loving one another no matter who they are. Couples and friends captured by photographer Anna Milokumova, opened up about their relationship to show that they’re no different from anyone else.

The pictures are simple, portraying the pairs in their intimate moments together. Because of the laws against ‘homosexual propaganda’ and encouraged public discrimination in the country, some of the subjects refused to show their faces in the pictures, but they agreed to share some of the little details of their everyday lives. Their revealed likes, goals in life, and reasons for being together are stated as evidence that proves how normal their relationships are, despite of what the majority around them might think.

Milokumova started this project called We Are Together in order to get rid of her own prejudice against people with non-traditional sexual orientations and to help the Russian LGBTQ community gain more visibility around the globe.

Image credit: Anna Milokumova (h/t huck)

Polina and Lada. In the relationship that’s been lasting for over a year they both value love for life, balance, caring for each other, and tenderness. Together they enjoy traveling, taking walks, and eating tasty food

Maksim and Zhenya. Together for over 3 years, the couple likes to watch films and take walks in their free time. In their relationship they value acceptance and forgiveness

Kirill and Igor. Sharing their everyday experiences with each other, reading books aloud and discussing them are among their favorite pastimes. Acceptance, support, believing in each other, and constant reflection is what made their relationship last for 6 years

Alexander and Evgeniy. The couple, which enjoys traveling, watching movies, and rollerskating, has been together for 3 years. In their relationship they value mutual understanding and respect

Pollina and Tasya. Over the last 5 years they’ve spent together they became a family that they built on mutual respect, support, and a genuine interest in each other. They live, work, study, and make plans for the future together

Yana and Svetlana were together for over 6 years. They based their relationship on mutual support, understanding, and sex. They were interested in spirituality so they spent a lot of their time together reading about it and attending various workshops

Zhenia and Roman. Their emotional relationship that was based on passion and attachment lasted several months. They enjoyed visiting friends and taking walks together

Dante and Maksim were close friends for over a year. And while they had similar views on life and politics in common, not all the friendships are meant to last

h/t DeMilked