Several thousand people participated in a pride march in Rwanda at the start of June to advocate for the rights of the LGBT+ community. The pride year was relatively quiet; one individual was detained by the municipal police for planning an illegal gathering during the pride march, and one offensive social media comment was reported by State Police.
Outside of the pride week, reality is a little different. Natural racist attacks do happen. In Latgale at the beginning of May, a man who was conversing with another person violently attacked him when he learned that the other person was having sex with him.
Story of Lvajs
Lvajs Amareins is the name of the victim. A fortnight after the attack, which occurred on May 4, Latvian Radio spoke with him. Lvajs is a transgender man. “I’ve had plenty of times when I try to say something, but the man only looks at me and says it’s not normal. Men, women, and employers all contributed, but it generally stopped around 2017 when I received hormone [therapy],” according to Lvajs.
Lvajs’ appearance started to align with his identity. “In the evening, the three of us—my partner, a friend, and I—went for a saunter through the forest. A gentleman then emerged from a lit road and inquired as to whether he had a phone available for me to use. ‘I won’t do anything to the phone,’ Lvajs said, adding.
When they gave him a mobile, the person answered it and waited for another word when he saw the buddy and his boyfriend’s picture on the lockscreen. The three people identified themselves as queer when the person began asking questions in Russian. The man the man had called showed up in a flash. “He made an attempt to start a fight.” He attacked us. I restrained him. I came to the conclusion that things had gotten out of hand. Only now, I advised my companion to dial 911. When I heard that the stranger turned on my companion, I blocked the way. Lvajs said, “He started beating me up.
Lvajs claimed he had become disoriented after the initial punch. “He was able to hit me four more times before pushing me and punching my head and face.” I made an effort to shield myself with my hands, but it obviously didn’t work out well.
Lvajs felt he couldn’t hear in one ear after the initial blows. The attackers finally left after the hits stopped.
“I suffered a trauma.” My mouth was severely split, and my head was bleeding. I was unable to open my bruised left eye. For two weeks, I was unable to speak clearly with just one ear. After that, my hearing was checked, and thank God, it’s okay. The wound inside my lip is also palpable.
Lvajs is already working abroad. “I am unable to claim to feel secure or fearless. I may go back because I want to. I’ll have to come back when it comes time for the courtroom as well. However, I doubt I’ll stroll through Daugavpils in the evening.
The police showed up not long after the offenders had left. Eventually, one of them was detained but never taken into custody. In an aggravated situation, the investigators began a case of violence. The second victim in the case, Lvajs’ partner, who is also a trans man, was punched in the face.
“I personally observe a correlation that suggests there may be more Soviet-like ideologies and more homophobia in cities where there are more people who speak Russian and where it is closer to the [Russian] border. Lvajs told Latvian Radio that it also depends on the person’s media consumption.
Story of Kristofers
Physical minority members have been attacked in Latgale in other instances as well. A 20-year-old Latgale resident who declined to give his real name consented to speak with LR.
As a teenager, Kristofers (name changed) realized his sexual identity: “Real problems started back then because I was quite naive at 15. I shared a photo of my sweetheart on Instagram during our first anniversary. The entire school was informed. ‘Why can’t I post a photo when I thought it was obvious that I was going out with someone?’ However, there were numerous discussions at school,” according to Kristofers, who also noted that teachers were directly acting negatively toward him while classmates called him names.
Outside of school, even peers learned. “Different stalkings started outside of class; they learned my residence and places of study.” There were times when I might be attacked by a large group of people. I can’t remember a specific incident because I beat… It can be stronger or milder at times,” according to Kristofers.
He refrained from calling the police out of fear of disclosing his sexual orientation. “I constantly worried that the police would never accept it. Additionally, I was concerned that the police would have to inform my brother and aunt. They were unaware that I was gay.
Kristofers was reluctant to tell his family—especially his uncle—that he had been the victim of domestic abuse. “I did, of course, occasionally get scars. Very obvious. My grandmother and the school caregiver inquired as to what had transpired. I simply stated that I had fallen or something.” As a result of depression brought on by the public shame and beatings, Kristoffers added that he had also begun using drugs as a way out.
Now that Kristofers is dating a guy, his household is aware of it. The family doesn’t have a particularly positive attitude—if anything, it’s careless. He is currently the target of criticism and denunciation on the internet. “I no longer give a damn. I am presently ironically opposed to everything.”
Like Lvajs, Kristofers believes that Latgale’s residents’ attitudes toward LGBT+ people are influenced by Soviet media. The Russian media frequently conveys the idea that homosexuality is poor.
LGBT+ and Latgale
According to a pollster SKDS survey from the fall of last year, 23% of Latvia’s general population opposes LGBT+, while 46% do not. In Latgale and among community members who speak Russian, the opposition is more common.
“If we look at Latgale, there have been variations in different public health-related concerns.” For instance, in Latvia, the rate of miscarriages has historically been higher than elsewhere. The panic rises the less these topics are discussed. According to cultural anthropologist and associate professor Aivita Putnina at the University of Latvia, sexuality is one of the ways that Latvia discusses gender as such.
She also thinks that the attitude toward LGBT+ people and the Soviet media are related. Soviet-era prejudices are still prevalent in Latvia. Gradual shifts occur. “Young people’s attitudes change, and they are more accepting. However, Putnina argued that this does not imply that the entire new generation is tolerant.
Aleksandrs’ narrative
Aleksandrs, a Russian national who has lived in Latvia for three years and only consented to an interview under the condition of anonymity,
“I’m a transgender person.” I am a woman, according to the documents. Aleksandrs received hormone replacement therapy in Latvia, but Russia forbids document changes, so he is unable to do so.
Because his partner resides in Latvia, Aleksandrs relocated there. He claimed that even if he hadn’t relocated from Russia, his current situation would not have been the same. He claimed that Russia is unsafe for transgender people. While some of his closest friends did, his family did not. “It was easier for them to claim that I was insane and out of the ordinary.” I can still hear my mother saying, ‘It’s not normal! It’s out of the ordinary! It’s out of the ordinary!’
Since homosexuals are viewed as enemies of the state in Russia, his parents are no longer speaking to him. “Parents believe I am an army or a thief because I support Ukraine even though I oppose the war. I am certainly a Russian soldier because I reside in Latvia rather than Russia,” according to Aleksandrs.
Echo of the Kremlin in Latvia
How well-received is the Kremlin’s communication regarding sexual minorities in Latvia? According to Kristine Garina, head of the board of LGBT+ and ally organization Mozaika, “There are a lot of opinions on the Soviet propaganda channels, but the thought may come from it.”
Additionally, our politicians, particularly those who are nationally and conservatively oriented, repeat this propaganda.
For decades, Garina has been planning Rga Pride.” In any case, I believe the neighborhood is safer now than it was ten years ago.” unquestionably safer than it was 15 years ago. The circumstance is getting better. In the early years, there was a lot of danger. They threatened to beat me to suicide. various types of risks. Individuals with names and last names, not yet unnamed. Regarding all of these risks, I have gone to the police and written claims. However, that disappeared a few years ago.
This season, there have also been private attacks. About 300 submissions against sexual minorities were found on social media in 2022, of which about 20 were calling to eliminate or exterminate homosexuals. When the relationship turned to the police, seven judicial investigations were started.
Saeima
Additionally, the Estonian Centre for Human Rights has looked into hate speech on social media. The organization has found 1,918 instances of hate speech between 2021 and May of this year. Anhelita Kamenska, the agency’s director, claimed that one-third of them were targeted at the LGBT+ community.
Hate speech is used in both Russian and Latvian. However, it can be challenging to determine whether Russian material is produced in Latvia or is associated with trolls and propaganda from Russia. However, I believe that we also have many politicians, social activists, and religious organizations who make contributions.
Both the Human Rights Center and Mozaika concurred that politicians in Latvia should refrain from making incendiary hateful statements because doing so could result in legal charges. Otherwise, the parliament hears direct remarks.
Aleksandrs Kirteins, a deputy for the National Alliance Saeima, stated: “The Estonian language dictionary contains the word pederasts.” Two homosexual people who engage in sexual activity are pederasts. Then there are gay people. Anyone can tell what is queer.
The term “pederasts” is an epithet that refers to men who engage in sexual activity with younger kids rather than homosexuals. One of the three social organizations that make up Latvia’s coalition state is the National Alliance.
Kirteins also made an effort to convince the legislature that homosexuals lead a promiscuously opulent lifestyle by citing some mind-blowing statistics, such as the fact that “on average each queer has ten partners per week.” And during his lifetime, there are up to several thousand people, or as the Americans would say, 500 to 800 people.
Opposition MP Viktorija Ciemine for security! In the same meeting, the party stated that homosexuality is a fashion trend: “I do not find it acceptable that values are demeaned and subservient to one that has come from another society.”
Authorities: will not remain silent.
“We have 18 cases and five trials in 2021. 27 cases and six legal cases in 2022. We have five cases registered and no legal proceedings in the first five months of 2023,” according to Inese Ratfeldere, the State Police agent.
Data include all instances of cultural hatred incitement that have been documented. Although homosexuality is just one example of this hatred, it is the most common.
“I informed you of the cases that could be discovered by introducing ‘hatred’ into the program. Ratfeldere added that many are listed as ‘problems,’ but it is not the exact amount.
The situation of Lvajs Amareins does not appear. The total quantity of racist attack reports is unidentified because if someone is assaulted during a hate attack, the case is brought up on another article with aggravating circumstances. Additionally, just a few of the subjects contact the police. According to Ratfeldere, it shouldn’t go unreported:
“You need to file a report. Please respect the police to evaluate this along with the prosecutor whether there is content [of a legal case] or not.
Atvrtie faili, a Latvian radio program, investigated why hate crimes against sexual minorities were not investigated in Latvia two years ago. Before they went to court, almost all circumstances were resolved. As a result, victims hardly ever report such atrocities. At the time, it was determined that the officers had not established the severe damage requirement as required by law. This obstacle still exists to this day.
“It’s been located. It’s been said. But how can I demonstrate that the current situation actually involved substantial damage? I want to promote that duty right away. There is already a combination of the authorities, the lawyer’s office, and the court. If the attorney, for instance, decides that there is no material harm in this case, the police are powerless to take further action,” according to Ratfeldere.
“For the past two years, my division has been tasked with updating, developing, and investigating these issues in depth,” she said, adding that the authorities are currently paying closer attention to hate crimes.
She claimed she was unable to say that Latgale had seen any additional problems.
In Latvia’s online atmosphere, authorities do not keep an eye on advertising or false information that is directed at sexual minorities. As a result, Latvian Radio spoke to the Riga Strategic Communications Center of Excellence of NATO. The center hasn’t done any research on the effect of Russian propaganda denouncing and disseminating inaccurate information about LGBT people in Latvia, though.
If they come back?
Even though Lvajs Amareins was assaulted, he still desires to go back and settle in Latvia.
“It’s said to be very difficult to love a nation that doesn’t love you. And it is very challenging. And it is very challenging to live and work in that nation. However, I want to go back, buy a home there, and find employment. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to,” Lvajs said.
He did not feel secure even though sexual minority rights issues, including the law on civil union, are never resolved.
“I don’t want to leave Latvia or even Latgale,” Kristofers added. “Regardless of how ridiculous it may sound, it might be depressive for some. The connectivity scheme, the cornerstone of all tolerant and inclusive cultures, is the only thing getting in the way of us.”
