Russian transgender politician reverses decision to detransition, saying she was acting ‘out of

Very big update CNN — Russia’s first and only openly transgender politician has said she is no longer detransitioning, telling CNN that she had been previously driven by fear of Russia’s ban on gender reassignment. Alyoshina said she is now “ashamed” of posts she made earlier this year announcing the move. “I wrote and said this out of fear because gender reassignment and the non-existent LGBTQ+ movement are prohibited in the Russian Federation,” she bnbbsaid, adding: “I was born a woman in a man’s body.” Alyoshina transitioned from male to female in 2020, changing both her name and gender marker in her passport. “It was my sincere desire,” she told CNN. “I had been fighting for this for many years and underwent multiple psychiatric examinations.” Then, in May, Alyoshina changed her Telegram channel back to her pre-transition name and uploaded a pre-transition profile photo, saying she had decided to revert to her birth gender during Orthodox Lent, citing “spiritual anguish.” In a now-deleted post, Alyoshina also apologized to the Russian people, indicating a patriotic motive for her decision to remain in Russia. “I am a patriot of my country, that’s why I live in Russia,” Alyoshina said. Asked to clarify the move at the time, she told CNN, “I cannot give more detailed comments,” adding she did not feel safe to speak about it while still in Russia. On Wednesday, she explained to CNN that the move was prompted by her fear of persecution after appealing to the Russian Supreme Court in early 2024. Alyoshina filed an official request to the court in January seeking clarification on new legal restrictions, her status as a transgender person, potential extremist labeling for online publications and her ability to engage in public activities. When the court responded that it doesn’t provide explanations on current laws, she said she felt terrified that “the state repressive machine could turn on.” “I began sleeping poorly and waking up early, by springtime my anxiety and depression worsened,” Alyoshina said. The politician also feared that she might never achieve her life’s dream of undergoing gender reassignment surgery due to the new regulations.