One of the best things to come out of this anti-gay bullshit in Russia is Gessen’s elevated platform. This is wonderful not necessarily for her—Vitaly Milonov, author of the anti-gay propaganda bill, frequently uses her as an example of the kind of “pervert” his law is supposedly protecting children from; feeling at risk, Gessen eventually left the country—but for the world. She is a brilliant woman. She helped put together OR Books’ recent moving collection of LGBT Russian narratives, Gay Propaganda.

Read the full essay at Gawker.