How Russia’s Drag Scene Survives Despite Bans and Fear
Despite intensified repression and legal crackdowns, Russia’s drag scene remains one of the last surviving public expressions of queer culture in the country. After the “international LGBT movement” was designated as extremist and so-called “LGBT propaganda” was banned, many gay clubs shut down, queer activists fled the country, and public speech became dangerous. Yet drag performers still take the stage — not just as a form of self-expression, but also as a way to survive.
In a Meduza feature, drag queens Liuba Dorogo, Nina Boujee, and Alina Express share how they continue to perform amid fear, censorship, and economic hardship. For them, the stage offers a fleeting sense of freedom. They deliberately avoid political commentary to protect themselves, their clubs, and their fellow performers. But even without overt politics, drag remains a defiant act — especially outside major cities, where homophobia and stigma run deep.
“The first step on stage in heels is the first nail in the coffin of your personal life,” says Liuba Dorogo. She notes that even within the gay community, masculinity remains the norm, and drag is often seen as marginal or “too much.”
Nina Boujee describes drag as a lifeline — a way to overcome depression and isolation. Performing helped her “see herself” and break free from social anxiety. But financially, it’s precarious. Freelance performers scrape by, often sacrificing basic needs just to afford costumes that cost tens of thousands of rubles. Emigrating isn’t an option — she lacks savings and a clear path abroad.
For Alina Express, drag is not a disguise but an art form — a way to “live one more life” and explore her identity. Yet with each new restriction, creative space shrinks. Performers who once addressed social issues on stage now “wrap themselves in bubble wrap” and avoid ambiguity. Clubs often demand performers follow a “no Western ideology” policy, and many venue owners aren’t part of the LGBTQ+ community themselves.
All three performers agree: doing drag in today’s Russia is an act of defiance and courage. Some dream of leaving, others cling to the hope of love and community. Their belief — in the stage, in their audience, in one another — helps them remain true to themselves in a country that seeks to erase their identity.
In a Meduza feature, drag queens Liuba Dorogo, Nina Boujee, and Alina Express share how they continue to perform amid fear, censorship, and economic hardship. For them, the stage offers a fleeting sense of freedom. They deliberately avoid political commentary to protect themselves, their clubs, and their fellow performers. But even without overt politics, drag remains a defiant act — especially outside major cities, where homophobia and stigma run deep.
“The first step on stage in heels is the first nail in the coffin of your personal life,” says Liuba Dorogo. She notes that even within the gay community, masculinity remains the norm, and drag is often seen as marginal or “too much.”
Nina Boujee describes drag as a lifeline — a way to overcome depression and isolation. Performing helped her “see herself” and break free from social anxiety. But financially, it’s precarious. Freelance performers scrape by, often sacrificing basic needs just to afford costumes that cost tens of thousands of rubles. Emigrating isn’t an option — she lacks savings and a clear path abroad.
For Alina Express, drag is not a disguise but an art form — a way to “live one more life” and explore her identity. Yet with each new restriction, creative space shrinks. Performers who once addressed social issues on stage now “wrap themselves in bubble wrap” and avoid ambiguity. Clubs often demand performers follow a “no Western ideology” policy, and many venue owners aren’t part of the LGBTQ+ community themselves.
All three performers agree: doing drag in today’s Russia is an act of defiance and courage. Some dream of leaving, others cling to the hope of love and community. Their belief — in the stage, in their audience, in one another — helps them remain true to themselves in a country that seeks to erase their identity.