Gay and Lesbian Welcoming Hotels in Russia

Gay life in Russia can be hard, especially that although it is legal to be homosexual there have been bans on pride parades that have resulted in violence and gay people being arrested. In 2010 the European Court of Human Rights even found these bans were unlawful.

Though with fierce determination and through these banning orders, Moscow has held a pride parade since 2006 (May/June) and Saint Petersburg since 2008 (October) also the home of International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival “Side by Side” in October.

There is gay nightlife in these cities though the gay scene does seem to change regularly with new bars opening and others closing. Saint Petersburg, Central Station is the most upbeat gay dance club in the city or Caberet is another popular haunt. There’s a more cosmopolitan liberal looking atmosphere as it enjoys the influence of the Scandinavian and Baltic neighbors. In Moscow, every Sunday, Propaganda hosts China-Town gay parties. In the capital many gay bars are discreet and some, like 12 Volt, are hidden in an old, small Moscow Street.

Russia is a huge country with a diverse landscape and what can be a bitter cold climate. Visit the Blue Eye of Siberia – known as the oldest and deepest lake in the world, or Kamchatka of volcanoes and geysers, or the ski slopes of Krasnaya Polyana that will host the 2014 Winter Olympics.

If not, head to the coast - there is a gay beach located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland near a town called Sestroretsk.