Russia Gets A Lesbian Magazine, Despite Potential 'Propganda Ban,'

Boldly defying a pending nationwide ban on so-called homosexual propaganda, activists launched what they say is the country's first magazine dedicated to the lesbian community. The independent quarterly publication, called Agens, hit stands in Moscow this month, according to Russian news outletRIA Novosti.

Agens, which translates from Latin to mean "driving force," describes itself as "A Magazine About Women for Women," and carries a disclaimer warning that the magazine is only for those aged 18 and older. RIA Novosti reports the magazine's claim that it is the only printed, glossy publication for lesbians in the country, and the magazine's editor in chief says it intends to help balance the lack of information available to Russia's LGBT community.

"The LGBT community has to deal with an information blackout," Milena Chernyavska, the editor in chief and a graduate of Moscow State University's journalism program, told RIA Novosti. "Russian gay men and lesbians don't know each other and think that they cannot be happy, because everyone around them abuses them." 

Earlier this year, the Russian parliament, called the State Duma, passed a provisional version of an antigay nationwide law that imposes steep fines for "promoting homosexuality to minors." The law is based on similar legislation in St. Petersburg and other regions, and could become national law by the summer, according to RIA Novosti.

The first 120-page issue of Agens features coming-out narratives, stories about filmmaking, studying abroad, local businesses, and a photo essay featuring men's clothing that fits women. 

The magazine might be the country's only LGBT publication actually printing hard copies, since RIA Novosti reports the gay men's magazine Kvir ceased printing and went digital-only this year. 

The magazine's editors say they aren't looking to stir controversy, but they realize that might occur. 

"We are aiming at a dialogue both with the readers and the authorities," Chernyavskaya said. "If the deputies are unhappy with the magazine, I would like to talk to each of them face to face."

This is reportedly the third effort to launch a lesbian glossy magazine in Russia. A feminist editor behind the online DIY magazine Ostrov (Island in English) said that if Agens succeeds, it'll be a monumental accomplishment for the nation's beleaguered queer community. 

"If a glossy lesbian magazine survives on Russian soil, it will be the best present for the LGBT community in 2013,” Olgerta Kharitonova, who has been publishing Ostrov for more than a decade, told RIA Novosti.  "If Agens manages to reflect lesbian life in the format of a glossy magazine without attracting the ire of the outraged Orthodox community, then we can only wish them luck and keep our fingers crossed.”

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