Hidden Stories: Remarkable Figures of the USSR Who Lived in the Shadow of Their Sexual Orientation

As is well known, sex did not exist in the Soviet Union, and discussing one’s sexual orientation was not only considered indecent but also life-threatening. Starting in 1934, the USSR had a criminal law provision “against sodomy” (Article 121 of the Criminal Code of the USSR*), but today we’ll talk about outstanding figures in Soviet cinema, theater, and music who did not shy away from same-sex relationships.

LAW OF THE RSFSR OF 27.10.60 "ON APPROVAL OF THE CRIMINAL CODE OF THE RSFSR" (TOGETHER WITH THE "CRIMINAL CODE OF THE RSFSR")
ARTICLE 121. SODOMY
– Sexual intercourse between a man and a man (sodomy) is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years.
– Sodomy committed with the use of physical violence, threats, or against a minor, or taking advantage of the dependent position of the victim, is punishable by imprisonment for up to eight years.

Faina Ranevskaya (rumored)

There are still a lot of rumors around the personal life of the great actress. And many stubbornly conclude that Faina Georgievna still preferred to love women. Remember her famous saying: "Lesbianism, homosexuality, masochism, sadism are not perversions. In fact, there are only two perversions: field hockey and ballet on ice."

Georgy Miller (according to relatives, but the actor himself did not come out)

He embodied all the evil spirits of the Soviet cinematograph. The actor called himself so because of his unsociable character. Colleagues and neighbors blamed the actor for all mortal sins, and in reality, the lack of a personal life gave rise to many rumors about his orientation. Although, of course, Georgy Frantsevich himself never openly declared his homosexuality.

Yuri Bogatyrev (according to relatives, but the actor himself did not come out)

At home among strangers, a stranger among friends - this is how the life of this amazing actor can be characterized. In the realities of Soviet life, Yuri Georgievich was very sensitive to his so-called peculiarity. The denial of his nature eventually led the actor to severe depression, and subsequently to alcoholism, which was the cause of the sudden death of this great actor.

Rudolf Nureyev (coming-out)

Despite world fame and the worship of the most high-ranking officials in the USSR, one thing awaited Nureyev in his homeland: imprisonment with confiscation of property. Therefore, his famous leap to freedom at the Paris airport was rather a forced step.  They say Rudolf Khametovich had a very bad character, for example, his favorite pastime in the West was to kiss people when they met, and then ironically note that this is an old Russian tradition.

Yulia Lemigova (coming-out)

Russian-American entrepreneur and former model. First runner-up of the USSR in 1990 and second runner-up at the Miss Universe beauty pageant in 1991. She has been living in the United States for many years. In the 2000s, the model began dating the famous tennis player Martina Navratilova and in 2014, after the US Open, Navratilova proposed to her lover and a couple of months later the couple got married in New York.

Sergei Eisenstein (coming-out)

An innovator, the creator of cult films included in the golden fund of world cinema, Sergei Eisenstein never hid his tender feelings for men. Despite the presence of a wife, in many of his films he openly admires the beauty of the male body. "If it were not for Marx, Engels and Lenin, I would be the second Oscar Wilde," said the great director.

Vadim Kozin (coming-out)

It is known that Vadim Kozin received the Order of the Red Star for his performance on the front line during the Great Patriotic War, but even this did not help the legendary singer avoid imprisonment "for sodomy". Moreover, Vadim Kozin is the only celebrity of the USSR convicted of homosexuality twice. In total, the artist spent about 15 years of his life in the camps

Sergey Iosifovich Parajanov (coming-out)

One of the brightest Soviet bisexuals and one of the most famous people who was persecuted for homosexuality was the outstanding director Sergei Iosifovich Parajanov. Birth name: Sargis Parajanyan (1924-1990s). The director spent four years in prison after being convicted under the infamous Article 121. Parajanov shot 8 films and wrote four scripts during his creative life.

Gennady Leonidovich Bortnikov (according to rumors)

1939-2007 years of life. Actor of the Soviet theater and cinema of the 1960s-1980s. He was a real idol of his generation. The roles of 30-year-old Bortnikov in the productions of the Mossovet Theater brought him incredible success. For many years, Bortnikov was one of the leading actors of the theater, the most significant works are Raskolnikov in "Petersburg Dreams" and Smerdyakov in "The Brothers Karamazov" by F. M. Dostoevsky, the main role in the play based on the story by G. Böll "Through the Eyes of a Clown" is staged and set by Gennady Bortnikov. He was subsequently engaged in directing. Bortnikov's personal life has always remained out of sight of the public, and therefore it is covered with legends about the inconceivable power of experiences and even tragedies. For example, it was said that a certain student was poisoned by pills and left a touching letter with confessions addressed to Bortnikov. These stories, overgrown with details and turned into legends, reached the early 2000s, when the actor, almost forgotten, quietly ended his life.