Since the passage of the extremism law, expressing myself freely has become impossible.

Just last week, I was criticized for my outfit at the New Year’s office party—even though it was perfectly appropriate. For me, it was just a small personal touch, a subtle way to feel like myself. But they noticed.

They said, ‘A man shouldn’t wear jewelry,’ and that ‘this isn’t allowed in Russia anymore.’ I had thought, just for a moment, that maybe it would be okay—maybe no one would care. But the moment they saw me, they made it clear that even something as small as an accessory was ‘too much.’

It’s all prejudice and nothing more. It’s not just about jewelry. It’s about my body language, my speech, the way I walk. Everything is scrutinized.

I once dreamed of growing in my career, building a future in Moscow, maybe even finding a space where I felt free. But now, every plan feels uncertain, dictated by laws designed to erase people like me.