Podcast “We Had Sex”

material: Roman Polyakov
illustrations: Sofia Khananashvili

All episodes of Roman Polyakov's podcast about the history and culture of sex in modern Russia. This is a conversation about how the conversation about sex, intimacy and their cultural representation has changed.

“We Had Sex” is a podcast about how the conversation about sex, intimacy and their cultural representation has changed in modern Russia. Podcast host Roma Polyakov, author of the Queerorama project.

Over the course of five issues (and four special issues), together with experts, activists, psychologists, and journalists, we analyzed how sex was changing in Russia.

“We had sex before I was 18 / Episode 1” - how the conversation about the “forbidden” appeared after the collapse of the USSR and how social changes influenced the perception of sex. Guests of the issue: sex educator and LGBT activist Sasha Kazantseva, queer psychologist Noah Pokran, activist and journalist Sasha Manakina.

“We had unprotected sex / Episode 2” - an episode about the representation of HIV-positive people in Russian culture - from documentaries to streaming series. Guests: documentary film director Igor Sadreev, blogger and HIV-positive person Sergei Dubachev, HIV activist Yana Kolpakova.

“We had sex at the Love Parade / Episode 3” - how intimate and romantic relationships between queer people were covered in the media and perceived by society. Then and now. Guests of the episode: the creator of the first and only Russian LGBT film festival “Side by Side” Menia de Guer, journalist, creator of the “Lesbian Lobby” channel and the only YouTube show for queer women “Sequins and Carbines” Maria Latsinskaya, HIV activist and creator of the “Guys Plus” project Evgeny Pisemsky.

"We had sex for money / Episode 4" — the issue is dedicated to sex work and its images in Russian media and culture - from “Intergirl” to pop culture of the 2000–2010s (starting with the film “Intergirl”, ending with no less than “Russian Justin Bieber” Roma Acorn). In this episode, narrative practitioner and specialist in the field of gender and sexuality Inga Green, author of the Telegram channel “Rainbow diary” Kai, as well as Evgeny Pisemsky, HIV activist and creator of the “Guys Plus” project, spoke to us.

“We had taboo sex / Episode 5” - the finale of the first season: Roma Polyakov sums up the conversation about the representation of sex in Russian media and culture over the past thirty years and the impact of recent political and cultural changes on the conversation about intimacy. Guests of the issue: expert in the field of protecting the rights of women and queer people and founder of the lesbian community Cheers Queers Tatiana Kalinina, director and LGBT activist Leo Zbanka.

“We had sex in court / Special issue” - a special issue about the case of artist Yulia Tsvetkova: Roma Polyakov returns to the story, which several years ago caused a great public outcry and had controversial consequences, according to the artist herself.

“We had sex / Special. Tatyana Nikonova" is a short portrait of one of the most famous Russian-speaking sex educators - blogger Tatyana Nikonova.

“We had sex with music / Special” - a special about music and sexuality: the host and guests discuss what music is best for sexual relations. Link: Podcast.ru.

“We had sex on a rainbow / Special Issue” is the final special issue, where Roma Polyakov, through 30 events, sums up 30 years of representation of sex in Russian culture and media.