QueerAF | Inspiring LGBTQIA+ stories told by emerging queer creatives25 Mars 2019

Russia doesn't want you to listen to this podcast

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is one of Russia’s most iconic cultural figures, but the country still denies he was gay. 125 years after his mysterious death, his magnificent symphonies, operas, and ballets – including all-time classics Swan Lake and The Nutcracker – are still performed, streamed and enjoyed by millions of people around the world.

But behind Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous melodies and explosive orchestral climaxes lies the complicated story of a gay man. His sexuality brought him both joy and despair, but it was largely tolerated within Tchaikovsky’s social circles. Now his country outright denies that he was gay, bans so-called ‘gay propaganda’ and continues to torture LGBT+ people in the region of Chechnya.

So is now more important celebrate Russia’s rich queer history?

Support the Gay Star News #ChechnyaInCrisis appeal here: https://www.gofundme.com/chechnya-crisis-appeal

Listen to Tchaikovsky's Sixth Symphony on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3vaCn32O9E86DzxSAr2bh5?si=3ocQR1WBRSiSce2_xQN3Fg

With thanks to reporter Patrick Reardon-Morgan (@preardonmorgan), the Philharmonia Orchestra in London (@Philharmonia) and executive production from host Jamie Wareham (@jamie_wareham). Check out our guest, Jon Jacob's podcast, Thoroughly Good:

https://www.thoroughlygood.me/tag/thoroughly-good-podcast/

Subscribe to #QueerAF on Apple Podcasts, Download on Spotify and get us on your favourite podcast app – or listen on your desktop with Acast.

Sign up as a QueerAF member to listen along ad-free and support our not-for-profit work, investing in a new generation of queer audio professionals:

https://www.wearequeeraf.com/membership/

If you like our podcast, you'll love our free weekly newsletter that thousands of readers use to understand the LGBTQIA+ 🏳️‍🌈 headlines, learn new perspectives and stay on top of the latest queer content. Try it now:

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