Author | Christiane Nickel | Fashion Editor
Featured photograph by Leslie Van Stelten
In spite of all the revolutionary progress that has been made in LGBTQ community in terms of rights and visibility from Uganda to Arizona to Russia, there are still battles to be fought. The non-profit organization Immigration Equality helps to fight for LGBTQ immigrants that may be seeking asylum, are in need of legal assistance, or living with HIV. This Sunday March 2nd from 11-7 pm professional photographers and Immigration Equality supporters Lina Grebenyuk (featured image) and Alyona InDreams will be hosting a special fundraising event in support of Immigration Equality in Central Studio 36 (124 West 36th Street, Suite 503), a rental space donated by Natasha Ash for all day shoot. For a $36 donation to Immigration Equality, Lina and Alyona will provide you with two professional head shots.
I had the opportunity to talk to Lina and Alyona about their respective careers and personal experiences being ‘closeted’ in Russia. You may recognize Lina who recently modeled for Charlie Boy at Dapper Q’s Fashion Week event as well as in Diva Magazine’s He Said We Said: Haute Holidays Editorial.
What was your experience like coming to America?
Lina: I moved here 9 years ago, I am now in the process of applying for political asylum which is a lengthy and bureaucratic process. When I first got here it was difficult finding a job especially as a model because of my working papers. I am one of those lucky individuals that Immigration Equality is helping to find a place here in US and escape Russian homophobia. I am very grateful to be finally and fully open about my sexuality, but my heart cries when I think how many LGBT people in Russia are not as lucky as I am. This and for many other reasons organizing and volunteering at this event means so much to me. I will be photographing picture portraits and 100% of the proceeds will be going to Immigration Equality.
Alyona: I moved to USA 3 years ago. I’ve lived in Miami for 2 years, then I moved to NYC with my girlfriend I met 5 years ago in Volgograd, Russia. We applied for asylum together. Natasha’s case was approved almost right away, while mine is still pending and seems to be moving a bit slow.
What was it like being closeted in Russia?
Lina: It was really difficult for me to come to accept myself – for years I struggled with my identity especially in terms of coming into my own and feeling more masculine at times. I was really unhappy with myself, which is why I wanted to move. Although I am a proud Russian and there is so much richness to Russian culture, I knew I could not be happy there. I am originally from Rostov-on-Don, a fairly large city in Russia. When I came to the states I was still coming to terms with myself but it wasn’t until DOMA that I came out completely.
Alyona: I am also originally from Volgograd, a very conservative city where the urgency to fulfill the standards of society was like no other. It was hard for me to even think about my own sexuality, but luckily I met my girlfriend in Volgograd. However, with the level of difficulty we faced for being together we decided to move. It’s not uncommon that you will hear of skinheads going to an underground secret gay clubs and will spy on you and then attack you. With social media it is even worse because of visibility and you’re terrified that you will be physically caught and then trapped. Often, when skinheads attack someone outwardly gay, the police don’t do anything. This happened to a friend of mine.
Tell me more about your work as models/ photographers?
Lina: A friend of mine started modeling and had recommended I do so as well. This was back in 2009 when the themes and dynamics still felt quite heteronormative and routine. I never really felt comfortable with this role I had to play. For this reason I was very grateful to be included in the He Said/We Said: Haute Holidays shoot as well as DapperQ. I hope to continue as an openly gay model. I really admire the work of Casey Legler and Elliot Sailors and hope to be booked on shoots similar to those. Until it happens I will continue my path as an artist and photographer. I am very much an artist inside.
Alyona: I started doing photography in Russia and somehow my hobby turned into a full time job. I was in Miami I started working with a photographer for large events 200 + focusing on fashion related parties like Rolex etc. as well as Miami Pride. I’m more interested in large-scale events for openings, etc. Now as I moved to NYC I am committed to fashion projects even more. I also worked as an assistant to Vogue fashion photographer.
For more information on the event please visit the Facebook event page.
To donate and book a time for your photo shoot, click here.
Lina & Alyona’s photography can be viewed at:
