US broadcaster MTV has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of reports that gay/bi men are being tortured and killed in Chechnya.
Celebrities are using the hashtag #EyesOnChechnya to mark 100 days since the initial report of the anti-gay violence, and calling on the White House to take action.
We’ve known about gay men targeted in Chechnya for more than 100 days. Will @whitehouse speak out? #EyesOnChechnya https://t.co/VVHkEyNefF pic.twitter.com/6jBYpBWka7
— RuPaul (@RuPaul) July 14, 2017
First reported by Russian publication Novaya Gazeta, it is believed that more than 50 men have been killed over the last three months in the focused attacks.
Out entertainers RuPaul, Tituss Burgess, Jussie Smollett, Matilda star Mara Wilson, RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Sasha Velour and more have offered their voices to the campaign.
The campaign follows a recent HBO interview with Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, in which he denies the existence of gay men in the nation. You can view the conversation below.
OIP Staff
Support OUTinPerth
Thanks for reading OUTinPerth. We can only create LGBTIQA+ focused media with your help.
If you can help support our work, please consider assisting us through a one-off contribution to our GoFundMe campaign, or a regular contribution through our Patreon appeal.