For Russia’s LGBT community, homophobia and violence are part of day-to-day reality. Some cases, like the murder of activist Yelena Grigoryeva last week or torture in Chechnya, have made international headlines and caused global outrage, while others go tragically unreported. But there is more to LGBT+ life in Russia than just oppression. In fact, a new generation of queer Russians is rising, and they are keen to create a better future for the community. The queer Russian underground already exists: there are raves, drag parties, online publications and support networks and, most importantly, a new crop of outspoken role models for whom queerness is an integral part of their identity.