Russian LGBTQ+ Couple Finds Freedom and Marriage Plans in Germany
After a prisoner exchange, a Russian artist jailed for anti-war activism and her partner reunite in Germany. The couple, now free from persecution, plan their future and same-sex marriage in their new home.
In a remarkable turn of events, Sasha Skochilenko and Sofya Subbotina, a Russian couple, have found themselves in Germany with plans to marry after Skochilenko's release from imprisonment. Their story highlights the stark contrast between LGBTQ+ rights in Russia and Germany, where same-sex marriage has been legal since October 1, 2017.
Skochilenko, 33, an artist and musician, was arrested in St. Petersburg in 2022 for replacing supermarket price tags with anti-war messages following Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. She was charged with spreading false information about the military, a common accusation in Russia's crackdown on dissent.
During her imprisonment, Skochilenko faced numerous challenges, including health issues related to celiac disease. Subbotina tirelessly supported her partner, bringing food and necessities to the jail. However, their separation was exacerbated by Russia's restrictive laws on LGBTQ+ rights, which have intensified since 2013 and are often justified by the government's promotion of "traditional values."
The couple's fortunes changed unexpectedly when Skochilenko was included in a prisoner exchange on August 1, 2024. Along with 15 others, she was flown to Ankara, Turkey, and then to Germany, where Chancellor Olaf Scholz greeted them. This event marked a significant moment in the ongoing exchanges between Russia and Western countries, which have become more frequent since 2022.
Now in Koblenz, a city of about 112,000 people in western Germany, Skochilenko and Subbotina are embracing their newfound freedom. They express joy at being able to show affection publicly without fear, a stark contrast to the situation in Russia, where the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church has contributed to restrictive policies against LGBTQ+ individuals.
"I feel that I'm in a really free country."
The couple is now focusing on their future, with plans to learn German and settle permanently. Skochilenko intends to return to her art and seek treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, a common issue among former political prisoners. Subbotina, a nurse and pharmacist who successfully battled cancer during her partner's imprisonment, hopes to work in human rights, advocating for political prisoners in Russia.
Germany's strong tradition of supporting refugees and asylum seekers, coupled with its legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, provides a welcoming environment for the couple to start their new life. As they navigate this transition, Skochilenko and Subbotina's story serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and political dissidents in Russia, while highlighting the importance of countries that offer sanctuary and equal rights.
