Translated material
"Let this be my protest"
Julia Aleshina-the first transgender woman-politician in Russia-is going to run for governors. She gave an interview to Novaya Gazeta Europe
In September 2023, the election of the governor will be held in the Altai Territory. Julia Aleshina is going to participate in them-the first transgender woman politician in Russia. She headed the Altai branch of the Civil Initiative party, but in the fall of 2022 she left this position. Nevertheless, the regional branch invited her to run in the elections. Julia Aleshina told the New Gazeta Europe, why goes to the polls and is hoping to win.
About the decision to go to the polls
Suddenly, for me, the same party members invited me to nominate from the regional department in the governor's election. I agreed, thinking: "Why not?" I am sure: the fact that I was born in another body is not as important for voters as my honesty, decency and sincere desire to make my native land better <...> The final decision has not yet been made, we are now preparing for the party meeting, we are holding consultations within the party and negotiations with municipal deputies to undergo a municipal filter.
About the chances of winning the election
I understand perfectly well that I can’t become the governor in this situation. But let it be my protest.
About the election program
Separate points of the program will be devoted to the protection of LGBT people as a social group. But I do not consider it right to devote the program only to this, because there are many other issues regarding the economy, the social and legal sphere.
About the war
This is a federal agenda, this is not included in the competence of the governor.
On the attitude to transgender people in Russia
When in 2021 I only headed the regional branch of the party, one of my mother’s friends supported me. And when in 2022 the law on the ban on LGBT propaganda began to be discussed, she changed her attitude to me from the positive to the negative. This woman watches the TV, apparently, the rhetoric of the authorities on the subject of the LGBT community influenced her.
About personal experience
[Transgender transition] took about a year and a half. There is no private clinic in Barnaul where I could contact a similar problem. Therefore, I went to the State Psychiatric Hospital <...> I received a certificate to change the gender marker after a year and a half after the first contacting the doctor.
On the Law on the ban "Small shifts"
I am in stress and shock. In this state, it’s somehow hard for me to speak. But I want to say that this bill is not just discriminatory, it generally deprives transgender people of the right to medical care. [Russian authorities] chose the most discriminated group and decided to limit it first in its rights. But it can continue. The restrictions on receiving medical care can apply not only to us, but also to a variety of layers of Russian society.
About the future
It will be necessary to think about emigration.