A Wish for Ukraine: As tensions simmer in Crimea, one gay activist calls for calm -- and human-rights monitors

Opinion: The Crimean Peninsula is an autonomous republic within Ukraine, and the home to the Russian Black Sea Fleet, in Sevastopol, in accordance with a bilateral Ukrainian-Russian agreement. And for LGBT people from all over the former Soviet Union, Crimea is important because of Simeiz, the first and only gay resort anywhere in the former USSR. It's a small town at the southern tip of eastern coast of Crimea. The first nude beach was founded here in 1950s, and the gay fame of Simeiz goes as far back as to the '70s when homosexuality was still criminally prosecuted and hundreds of Soviet gays were jailed each year. Today, thousands of gay travelers come here to relax and play every summer. I was there twice, in 2002 and 2012, and was planning to return soon with my husband. I'm not sure now if that's going to be possible. ... (more)

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