In 1993 article 121 of the Russian criminal code was abolished but even today Russia frowns upon gay men and does not accept lesbians the way it should.

How gay is Russia?

Blue in Russia is and has been for centuries a euphemism to designate gay people. Since 1600’s through to around 1861 the masculine norm of the Russian peasants and lower orders of townsmen included some forms of same-sex erotic contact. The ‘sin’ was celebrated with stories and justified by immoderate consumption of alcohol! The tavern musicians often sung of this and there were street puppet shows portraying gay antics!

A Russian, much cherished national institute is a bath-house, and in the late 19th centaury these places were significant for male on male prostitution and indulgence. The emergence of the Russian orthodox church saw sodomy criminalized in 1835 by Nicolas 1.

In the early 1900’s the arts became a refuge for gays under Soviet rule. Theatres, dance halls and galleries became the places to meet from the 30’s through to the 70’s.

There has been a thaw politically and socially since the 90’s for the Russian gay community. As communist rule ended campaigns, publications, bars and clubs grew in Moscow.

THERE IS NO RED LIGHT DISTRICT IN MOSCOW. THE MAIN AREA IS ‘KITAI-GOROD’ PLEASE EXERCISE CAUTION AND DON’T GO ALONE.

There are no openly gay owned or run hotels in Moscow with the general trend to use the more expensive hotels who don’t bother you or care who you bring to stay.

Go to Russia and Danikon Tours are 2 agencies used.

Recommendations of where to stay with price ranges from 2800-6700 Rubles for a single and 3600-7150 Rubles for a double are:

Rossiya near Red Square …varaka 6…..7 095 232 5000

ALSO

Kalinka, vcga, altai, ark, cosmos, dommodedovo aerotel.

Eurolux, heliopark empire, vavpra irbis, maxima slavia.

Max zarya, megaservice rus, sherchetycvc-2, seyuz, sputnik voskhmp, 7th floor.

For a more independent touch on your trip and your Russian tongue is not too good to get about the gay areas you can enlist in a gay man or lesbian guide .The guides will provide assistance with translations, help you feel more comfortable and give a closer look to the local gay scene. There is no gay personal guide site but you can contact a number of them from their personal profiles on http://www.gay.ru/

Most gay bars and clubs are not very good in Moscow and there are only a handful of them.

For girls there are only 2 women exclusive clubs.

12 Volt, can be found in the centre of Moscow at Tverskaya Ulitsa #12 blgs2 metro tverskaya, it’s open from 6pm-6am, is a small club with a dance floor regular dj’s and theme nights.

Pinkfly, is more relaxing with female strippers, a transvestite nightly show, and an introductory service for the shy. Pop music is played , entry is only through club membership card (this is available from the club). The club is open from 8am Saturday morning till early hours next day. Enrty is 150-200 rubles. Povarskaya Ulitsa #33 (inside Malunkie Istani) metro Bamikadnaya.

For the boys

Tri-Obez’yany (three monkeys) is one of the oldest bars, it’s on three floors has 7 bars, a huge dance floor, drag shows, outrageous shows 7 nights a week, electric upbeat dance tunes, some soviet hits, go-go boys, queer as folk cinema room, phew! Entry is free for boys it’s open mon-sun 10pm –7am. There is a small door charge fri/sat. Nastavincheskiy p er/~11 blgs 1. metro kurskaya/ chukdastaya.

Samovolka, (awol) is a raunchy club with a striptease and sauna downstairs the décor is military and the waiters are in uniform (the bar is quite pricey). A ‘crazy menu’ dark and private rooms, cheap beer (70 r) spirits (100r). the bar is open daily from 8pm is free for u22’s, 100-200 r for older men and women have to pay 300r!! navaya basemonnaya ulitse~6 blgs 2. metro Komsomdskaya.- circle line.

Base (baza) is a basement bar with a drag show and cheap drinks. It’s open 8pm till 6am every day. 6 nilyutirskiy pereulok.

Ryby/dary moray (fishes/sea gifts) is a smokey place that is very very bust at weekends. It’s only 10r entry and is open mon-sun from 2pm –midnight. Malyi gnezdnikovskiy per.

911 café is a basement café bar with small dance floor. Open 12pm till 23.00, mon-sun. glivchovskiy per.

Propaganda - This Manhattan Soho style trendy bar has a young crowd and value for money on food and cocktails. It’s open 9pm till 7am sun, 12pm till 7am mon-sat.bolshoy zlatovstinskiy per.

Where to eat

There are two restaurants frequented by the gay community in Moscow, they are:

Izbu Ryaka 48/13 bavmanstaya ul and Shayun (Japanese) Ul Baltschy 1.