Gay in the Gulag

[(A)]

Gay in the Gulag
CW: Rape
On December 17th, 1933, anal and genital contact between consenting men was re-criminalized in the USSR.
On 1 April 1934, article 154 (later 121) was introduced specifying a punishment of up to five years imprisonment. One theory currently popular among Moscow gays has it that the adopted son of the leading proletarian writer, Maxim Gorky, was seduced by a homosexual and that Gorky’s personal petition to Stalin led to the subsequent formal prohibition. On 23 May 1934, Pravda and Izvestiya published an article by Gorky declaiming, in language reminiscent of a political trial, that homosexuality was the result of pernicious influences from the Western bourgeoisie and German fascism. The article concluded with the slogan: “Destroy homosexuality and fascism will disappear!”

Article 154 quickly became a tool of reprisal against political dissent. In January 1934, homosexuals were arrested en masse in the Soviet Union’s main cities. Among those imprisoned were many actors, musicians and artists. Historians have noted numerous suicides in the Red Army and a growing mood of panic among Soviet gays at that time.
In 1936 the Commissar for Justice, Nikolai Krylenko, declared homosexuality a political crime against the Soviet state and the proletariat. It became an object of NKVD (later transformed into KGB) investigations, possibly with a view to recruiting new informers from among known homosexuals.
In the mid-1930s gays flooded into Soviet camps in their thousands, and the influx apparently remained steady throughout the years article 121 was in force. Alexander Solzhenitsyn called it a ‘sordid’ bit of legislation. In the Gulag Archipelago, dedicated to 'all those who did not live long enough to tell the story’, there isn’t a word of sympathy for oppressed homosexuals. Just as there isn’t in Varlaam Shalamov’s Kolyma Tales. Most dissident authors, while exposing the inhumanity of life in the camps, hold on firmly to camp attitudes in their contemptuous dismissal of gays and of homosexuality in general. Until very recently the issue remained taboo. Even when revelations about Stalinist repressions began to emerge, not a single human rights activist, neither in the USSR nor abroad, was seriously prepared to tackle the problem.
The fate of homosexuals in Soviet prisons and camps is unprecedented in the scope of its tragedy and brutality. Not only were the numbers vast, homosexual rape took place in every camp and prison without exception. Not only did the Soviet system fail to cure the 'foreign disease’, it led to a dramatic growth in the numbers of homosexuals. Huge numbers of people who had not previously been gay became categorised as opushchennye (lit: crestfallen, degraded, downcast; also slang term for one who has been beaten up, raped and urinated upon).
[…] The first convicted homosexual to come out was the Leningrad poet Gennady Trifonov. In December 1977, he sent the following open letter to Literaturnaya Gazeta from Camp No. 398/38 in the western Urals:
“I have experienced every possible nightmare and horror; it is impossible to get used to it. Over a period of 18 months I have seen daily what it is to be a convicted homosexual in a Soviet camp. The position of gays in the death camps of the Third Reich was nothing compared to this. They had a clear prospect for the future-the gas chamber. We lead a half-animal existence, condemned to die of hunger, nursing secret dreams of contracting some deadly disease for a few days peace in a bunk in sickbay.
“I know people who have either forgotten the end of their prison term, or who have not managed physically to survive that long. Their bodies were taken off the electric wire; they were found hanging in prison cells, tortured to death by prisoners in bestial mood or beaten by guards, mad. I know their names; I have access to the written evidence of witnesses. In a year and a half of this hell I have carefully studied 22 convictions for homosexuality in the USSR. If this information reaches the West, I will be accused of slander and physically liquidated. It won’t take much. They will set a group of convicts who have lost all semblance of humanity against me and certify my death ‘in the natural way’.”

[IbelieveInanarchy]

The joy of statism.

[SOGO]

The joy of statism.

Is this meant to imply that homophobia is a natural effect of "statism" (i.e. the organized suppression of reaction)?

What conversation was meant to be started with this thread? It just looks like paragraphs copied and pasted from somewhere. It also has a title that sounds like an off-color soviet themed porno.

[(A)]

Well it is.
"Deviation from the norm will be punished unless it is exploitable."

Statism is intrinsically tied to nationalistic exploitation. The law is an oppressive tool used by the ruling political class to exploit and control the working class.
Here we see that the Nationalistic political interests of the U.S.S.R. where served by a new law being created to attack a segment of the population. Political exploitation and class warfare is the whole point political systems. The class struggle is maintained by the states authority. Without the state and its political authority their can be no more class as the only thing that maintains class division is the law of the polity.

[willowtooth]

This is of course a ridiculous argument. Religion is directly related too homophobia, the majority of Russians believed that homosexuals should be executed. Lenin was the first to legalize homosexuality in centuries. Afterwards they brought some laws back since the democracy that you love so much demanded it not the evil "state".

[(A)]

... Firstly did you read the original post cuss it sounds like you did not.

Second... Did you not notice the name change and how I turned my back on political democracy? Not that the U.S.S.R. was actually a democracy. Even if Russia was just really homophobic; the fact that the political system granted anyone; by the majority or otherwise the authority to imprison gays just proves more of an argument against the existence of the state. Regardless of ANYTHING else; this alone should be enough to prove that we cant trust our lives any form of political or social authority.

[IbelieveInanarchy]

Is this meant to imply that homophobia is a natural effect of "statism" (i.e. the organized suppression of reaction)?

What conversation was meant to be started with this thread? It just looks like paragraphs copied and pasted from somewhere. It also has a title that sounds like an off-color soviet themed porno. States do shit like this to please their conservative/reactionary electorate, in this case christian orthodoxy. Yes the USSR did supress christian orthodox institutions but they went along with the homophobia ingrained in the populaces mind by the religion.

[willowtooth]

... Firstly did you read the original post cuss it sounds like you did not.

Second... Did you not notice the name change and how I turned my back on political democracy? Not that the U.S.S.R. was actually a democracy. Even if Russia was just really homophobic; the fact that the political system granted anyone; by the majority or otherwise the authority to imprison gays just proves more of an argument against the existence of the state. Regardless of ANYTHING else; this alone should be enough to prove that we cant trust our lives any form of political or social authority.
Is racism because of the state? is sexism? this insinuation is completely ridiculous this is the kind of shit ancaps and right wing libertarians spew out.

[willowtooth]

States do shit like this to please their conservative/reactionary electorate, in this case christian orthodoxy. Yes the USSR did supress christian orthodox institutions but they went along with the homophobia ingrained in the populaces mind by the religion.
fucking stalin wasn't sure of whether there was a god or not. relieving people of their notions of god and superstition is almost impossible. The saying "there's no atheists in a foxhole" is an almost true one, because you may call yourself an atheist but that act doesn't mean you are truly free of all religion and all the superstitious burdens that accompany it. Even you, I am sure you believe there may be some kind of supernatural being maybe you just sometimes fantasize and/or wonder if your god (im assuming christian) is real and that you will live forever in paradise and get too see all your wildest dreams come true and all your dead friends, relatives, and loved ones are waiting in some plane of existence somewhere. Do you not?

[(A)]

Is racism because of the state? is sexism? this insinuation is completely ridiculous this is the kind of shit ancaps and right wing libertarians spew out.


Institutional racism (also known as institutionalised racism) is a form of racism expressed in the practice of social and political institutions. Institutional racism is also racism by individuals or informal social groups, governed by behavioral norms that support racist thinking and foment active racism. It is reflected in disparities regarding wealth, income, criminal justice, employment, housing, health care, political power and education, among other things. Whether implicitly or explicitly expressed, institutional racism occurs when a certain group is targeted and discriminated against based upon race. Institutional racism can go unnoticed as it is not always explicit and can be overlooked.

Yes racism is caused by the state. The state being a part of bourgeoisie rule and racism being a weapon used to undermine the working class; it is plainly obvious that racism and tied directly with structures of authority or "hierarchy". Racism is about power; power granted to one group (white workers being used as slave wranglers & cops) and kept from another by the Nation-state in the interest of those in power.

The Bourgeois Stalin used his power as leader of the Russian ruling class to criminalize gays for political reasons. Before Stalin was even born Anarchists knew that the Red bureaucracy proposed by Marx would become a bourgeoisie institution. Where do you think all the displaced capitalists and politicians will end up? in politics. "Not one man in a thousand is fit for (leadership); least of all those who seek it out."

So yes discrimination becomes Racism/sexism/homo&transphobia when political authority exists to give power to discrimination.

Or as explained by Kwame Ture
"When white terrorists bomb a black church and kill five black children, that is an act of individual racism, widely deplored by most segments of the society. But when in that same city--Birmingham, Alabama--five hundred black babies die each year because of the lack of power, food, shelter and medical facilities, and thousands more are destroyed and maimed physically, emotionally and intellectually because of conditions of poverty and discrimination in the black community, that is a function of institutional racism. When a black family moves into a home in a white neighborhood and is stoned, burned or routed out, they are victims of an overt act of individual racism which most people will condemn. But it is institutional racism that keeps black people locked in dilapidated slum tenements, subject to the daily prey of exploitative slumlords, merchants, loan sharks and discriminatory real estate agents. The society either pretends it does not know of this latter situation, or is in fact incapable of doing anything meaningful about it."

SO yah political power turns discrimination and hate into systemic racism.

[willowtooth]

Yes racism is caused by the state. The state being a part of bourgeoisie rule and racism being a weapon used to undermine the working class; it is plainly obvious that racism and tied directly with structured of authority. Shit your not one of those people who think you can be racist against white people do you? Racism is about power; power granted to one group by the Nation-state in the interest of those in power.

The Bourgeois Stalin used his power as leader of the Russian ruling class to criminalize gays for political reasons. Before Stalin he was even born Anarchists knew that the Red bureaucracy proposed by Marx would be a bourgeoisie institution. Where do you think all the displaced capitalists and politicians will end up? in politics. "Not one man in a thousand is for for {leadership}; least of all those who seek it out."

So yes discrimination becomes Racism/sexism/homo&transphobia when political authority exists to give them power.

Or as explained by Kwame Ture
"When white terrorists bomb a black church and kill five black children, that is an act of individual racism, widely deplored by most segments of the society. But when in that same city--Birmingham, Alabama--five hundred black babies die each year because of the lack of power, food, shelter and medical facilities, and thousands more are destroyed and maimed physically, emotionally and intellectually because of conditions of poverty and discrimination in the black community, that is a function of institutional racism. When a black family moves into a home in a white neighborhood and is stoned, burned or routed out, they are victims of an overt act of individual racism which most people will condemn. But it is institutional racism that keeps black people locked in dilapidated slum tenements, subject to the daily prey of exploitative slumlords, merchants, loan sharks and discriminatory real estate agents. The society either pretends it does not know of this latter situation, or is in fact incapable of doing anything meaningful about it."

SO yah political power turns discrimination and hate into systemic racism.

So lets say you live in the confederacy everyone believes we should kill/enslave everyone who is black shouldn't "a state" prevent them from doing this?

[(A)]

fucking stalin wasn't sure of whether there was a god or not. relieving people of their notions of god and superstition is almost impossible. The saying "there's no atheists in a foxhole" is an almost true one, because you may call yourself an atheist but that act doesn't mean you are truly free of all religion and all the superstitious burdens that accompany it. Even you, I am sure you believe there may be some kind of supernatural being maybe you just sometimes fantasize and/or wonder if your god (im assuming christian) is real and that you will live forever in paradise and get too see all your wildest dreams come true and all your dead friends, relatives, and loved ones are waiting in some plane of existence somewhere. Do you not?

"If God existed it would be necessary to destroy him" (https://blog.bakuninlibrary.org/mikhail-bakunin-what-is-authority-1870/)


So lets say you live in the confederacy everyone believes we should kill/enslave everyone who is black shouldn't "a state" prevent them from doing this?

But if you lived in a state and the state was representative of its people (as liberal socialists claim their red bureaucracy would be); then the state would also want to kill/enslave said minority because that was the will of the majority. The state would give legitimacy to their action; something they could never have without said state.

But as shown above racism comes from the top down. Fascism and racism is caused by statism; because belief/support for the state is nationalism and we all know where that leads.
Nationalism is what happens when the working class loves their rulers. You cant end nationalism without ending politics/politys as love for these is what nationalism is.

[willowtooth]

"If God existed it would be necessary to destroy him" (https://blog.bakuninlibrary.org/mikhail-bakunin-what-is-authority-1870/)



But if you lived in a state and the state was representative of its people (as liberal socialists claim their red bureaucracy would be); then the state would also want to kill/enslave said minority because that was the will of the majority. The state would give legitimacy to their action; something they could never have without said state.

But as shown above racism comes from the top down. Fascism and racism is caused by statism; because belief/support for the state is nationalism and we all know where that leads.
Nationalism is what happens when the working class loves their rulers. You cant end nationalism without ending politics/politys as love for these is what nationalism is.
dude holy shit no.......imagine the whole world... imagine fucking apocalypse comet destroys the world type of scenario. racism sexism bigotry would still exist.

fucking christians they ruined socialism forever

[(A)]

.... What?

[willowtooth]

.... What?

your definition of "state" is wrong

[(A)]

How do you define a state?

[willowtooth]

How do you define a state?
not the way your defining it... fuck man ive been reading a lot of the shit youve been posting and your one of those ron paul libertarians maybe just starting to get over it types.. but thats what you are man... ancap libertaryan shit

I still love u though :)

[(A)]

You think that because I spent a long time debating against "an"capitalism so the terms I use are chosen specifically against an capitalism.
Also dont use Libertarian to describe capitalists. That implies capitalism can be libertarian.

An caps are wrong about who should control the workplace; but they are not wrong that ALL government is tyranny.

Each workplace should be independently operated by the workers who work their. No Red Bureaucracy; administration; government... that would end worker rule and substitute it for Bourgeoisie rule.

Government is always bourgeois by definition. The Bourgeoisie is the class that claims authority over the MOP while not proving labor. A government; democratic or not saying "We control this land" is bourgeoisie as they are claiming authority over the MOP. For instance it is illegal to hunt without paying the government. This is the case because they own the deer in the woods. They claim ownership over the deer who is the Subject of labor.



The first man who, having fenced in a piece of land, said "This is mine," and found people naïve enough to believe him, that man was the true founder of civil society. From how many crimes, wars, and murders, from how many horrors and misfortunes might not any one have saved mankind, by pulling up the stakes, or filling up the ditch, and crying to his fellows: Beware of listening to this impostor; you are undone if you once forget that the fruits of the earth belong to us all, and the earth itself to nobody.”


Government rule is always bourgeoisie as it is a claim of ownership over a part the earth that is only backed by violence; the same system by which capitalists are granted their property.
Without governments capitalist cant claim authority over capital (tools of labor) or land and its materials (subject of labor). You could reword it as "all governments are capitalist" and it would still be true. Governments are private organizations that claim ownership over property that we call territory. Capitalists are subservient to governments because government are the big capitalists and corporations are weak subsidiaries with powers granted by the state.

[willowtooth]

You think that because I spent a long time debating against "an"capitalism so the terms I use are chosen specifically against an capitalism.
Also dont use Libertarian to describe capitalists. That implies capitalism can be libertarian.

An caps are wrong about who should control the workplace; but they are not wrong that ALL government is tyranny.

Each workplace should be independently operated by the workers who work their. No Red Bureaucracy; administration; government... that would end worker rule and substitute it for Bourgeoisie rule.

Government is always bourgeois by definition. The Bourgeoisie is the class that claims authority over the MOP while not proving labor. A government; democratic or not saying "We control this land" is bourgeoisie as they are claiming authority over the MOP. For instance it is illegal to hunt without paying the government. This is the case because they own the deer in the woods. They claim ownership over the deer who is the Subject of labor.




Government rule is always bourgeoisie as it is a claim of ownership over a part the earth that is only backed by violence; the same system by which capitalists are granted their property.
Without governments capitalist cant claim authority over capital (tools of labor) or land and its materials (subject of labor). You could reword it as "all governments are capitalist" and it would still be true. Governments are private organizations that claim ownership over property that we call territory. Capitalists are subservient to governments because government are the big capitalists and corporations are weak subsidiaries with powers granted by the state.

fucking Christians your a preacher


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKoLsqnKRKw

[(A)]

Not a preacher; I am a debater. I just love to argue my point of view.
I hate 'god' so not a christian or religions in the slightest.

[willowtooth]

Not a preacher; I am a debater. I just love to argue my point of view.
I hate 'god' so not a christian or religions in the slightest.
why not hate feudalists instead? those bastards!



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24AuL2v1O_o

[IbelieveInanarchy]

fucking stalin wasn't sure of whether there was a god or not. relieving people of their notions of god and superstition is almost impossible. The saying "there's no atheists in a foxhole" is an almost true one, because you may call yourself an atheist but that act doesn't mean you are truly free of all religion and all the superstitious burdens that accompany it. Even you, I am sure you believe there may be some kind of supernatural being maybe you just sometimes fantasize and/or wonder if your god (im assuming christian) is real and that you will live forever in paradise and get too see all your wildest dreams come true and all your dead friends, relatives, and loved ones are waiting in some plane of existence somewhere. Do you not? I can honestly say that i do not think there is any supernatural being or an afterlife. And i can honestly say that i am sure i am not without prejudices, because as you say it is almost impossible to rid oneself from all prejudices which are prevalent in society. However, a state makes these prejudices into law without any regard for fact. There is no coherent rational idea on why homophobia is somehow justifiable. And more often than not it is based on religious prejudices. Just because stalin might have doubted that a god existed doesn't mean he is justified in using this as a pretext to bring gays to gulags.