"When you come to a country like the United States, you don't know what your future brings," Lyosha Gorshkov said. "I had no idea."
Gorshkov, the Assistant Director of the Women's Center and Pride Center has been in the United States for over five years, but used to be a professor in Russia for over fifteen years, teaching queer studies.
Gorshkov received a PhD in women's studies and queer studies. Creating the first queer studies program in Russia at Perm State University, Gorshkov wasn't the most popular professor, due to academics being homophobic and transphobic in Russia.
"I knew that federal police services were watching after us," Gorshkov said. "They were collecting information about people who were LGBTQIA, who were the opposition, and liberals. The dictatorial regime of Putin does not allow other thoughts, like freedom of speech or thoughts."
At Perm State University, Gorshkov became deputy dean, where they were immediately called into the office of special agents in 2013 to be recruited to report on LGBTQ students and faculty at the university.
Gorshkov said that the special adviser who contacted him knew who he was, and was trying to play games. Due to Gorshkov's teaching and LGBTQ status as a queer professor, they started to receive death threats, followed, and watched at their apartment. This forced Gorshkov to move to a friends apartment with high security.
"I was at least in the blacklist of the head of security services as an outspoken person," Gorshkov said. "I wasn't only teaching, but I was doing activities in the rainbow group and helping young people who couldn't find themselves."
Following these activities, Gorshkov knew that they had to leave Russia, but couldn't let anyone know about their intention to leave. The final straw was when an article came out in March of 2014 called Propaganda or Sodomy at Perm State University. Gorshkov said that the article was about them, and many demanded them to be fired because they though they were teaching students inversion or that Gorshkov was a pervert.
When Gorhskov's vacation arrived in July, they left with one suitcase to the United States and claimed political asylum. If Gorshkov would have stayed in Russia, in the best case scenario they would have been fired from the university. Physical violence was also plausible, as Gorshkov had been beaten up very seriously before.
"I came to New York because there weren't any doubts that I had to," Gorshkov said. "It's the one city which accepts immigrants on a larger scale."
Gorshkov said that they left at the right time, after they left Russia, police arrived to the university claiming that Gorshkov was national betrayal.
Not bringing much of the English dialect to the United States, Gorshkov started handing out movie postcards in restaurants and cafes for the first two years. Following this beginner job that Gorshkov received from a friend, they got into the LGBTQ group of Russian Speaking Americans, eventually becoming the co-president.
Feeling revived, Gorshkov participated in campaigning and political protests with the group, establishing themselves as a leader.
"You have to find yourself here," Gorshkov said.
Due to Gorshkov's activeness in public activities, they were contacted by the University of Indiana Bloomington in 2019 to teach a class on Russia Queer Politics. Gorshkov quit their job in New York, traveled to Pennsylvania, having already applied for the job at Slippery Rock.
Accepting the job as the Assistant Director of the Women's and Pride center, Gorshkov has been at Slippery Rock University for about two months. Their goal with the program is to develop a collaborative program between the campus community and those who feel they don't have a voice.
"You always have to be yourself," Gorshkov said. "You can't compromise. You can't live someone else's life. If you feel particular about your identity, be proud of that."
Gorshkov's inspirational words and inspiring attitude not only found their way into their work, but also into the Office for Inclusive Excellence. Amber Hamilton, a coworker of Gorshkov, tells just how happy Gorshkov's spirit can be.
With many years ahead and plans in mind, Gorshkov looks forward to the upcoming opportunities with the community, and is excited to be here.
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