People writing comments judging by the first minute of the video😅 please watch the video further (you’ll see how the WESTERN ideology changes people 🌈👹👹)
I’m a straight American male. I don’t really identify with the queer community, but we are all different and people deserve to feel safe in society, no matter what they feel and believe. We must protect all and allow them to live their lives as they see fit. This, to me, is what Western values are all about. That is true freedom. Thanks for this video.
Unfortunately this is no longer about a personal sexual preference. We now gender reassignment surgery and transgender theory pushed upon the community. Government prosecutors with unlimited money will ruin the life of anyone arguing against 'trans' in sport which is usually men who have had surgery to look like somewhat women competing in girls sport. Many you girls and boys have been misdiagnosed with gender dysmorphia and in the case of girls they are either having trouble adjusting to puberty (they hate it) or are lesbian with some aspers or boys that are unhappy. The transgender industry tell the parents the child is in danger of self harm and are scared into. Many tragedies. Eurovision has become revolting to watch and it is heart break to see women sport with by male-female trans people who win everything. -its not surprise Russian propagandists use this absurdity to attack western liberal elites who themselves have become totalitarian as Russia in this area.
During the LGBT celebrations when Ireland legalised same-sex marriage after a referendum, a spokesperson on the news said “I’d like to say a massive thank you to all the straight people who voted for us. We couldn’t have done this without you and it means the world to know that we officially have your overwhelming support.” It was a lovely moment.
"It's time, Ma!" --- John Oliver commenting on the Irish pro-same sex marriage campaign ad where LGBT people drag their parents to vote for the proposition.
does it also have to be legitimate or just announced on the smelly vision all of the time ? if you dont even have a right to found your own political party or participate in the same elite smelly vision selections, then i really doubt that any of that can be called legit or even remotely anything democratic
Netherlands was the first in the world and the minister Ien Dales hit her fist on the pulpit and said: "and now its enough, you will agree with this new law." And everyone did.
The deadpan sarcasm had me laughing from the start - I really hope anyone who jumped into the comments angry after 20 seconds of video took the time to come back and get to the point. "The woke western degeneracy" still has me laughing. I love your content, thank you for continuing to explore the world. It's painful to have to leave your home country, but man what an adventure you've gotten to have!
To be honest, I actually started writing my comment 30 seconds in. I said some pretty nasty things. In 2014 I had to end my friendship with my Russian best friend because of Putin and what was happening to LGBTQ people in Russia. I showed him TH-cam videos. I explained that´s exactly what Mr. H. did back in 1933. He pretended it wasn´t true and didn´t know anything about it. I live in Germany and a lot of Russians, who´s great-grandfather had a German shepard dog, live here. I can´t hear this rhetoric anymore. It hits deep in my gut. The far right in the US isn´t much better either but I would still rather suffocate from McDonalds than drown in Wodka. So, thank you for preventing me from making a fool of myself!
@@peteraschaffenburg1 It could be that he just didn't say anything out of fear that he'd get jailed if he did, if you say literally anything that disagrees with Putin's government in Russia you're basically screwed. I get your position though
”People dont seem to care” is the key. Most of us really dont. Live your life the way you want, and let others live theirs. The definition of freedom and openness.
Most individuals in those communities want be treated the same as anyone else, to live their live in peace. There are however others who want more and constantly seek the attention of others, and thus also from people that don't like them (for the part they seek attention off) and want to do something about that. Unfortunately the attention seekers also make those others aware off the other person's who simply want to live their live in (anonymous) peace (I hope you know what I mean). And the attention seekers don't do that only passively, but annoy other people with their differentness, hence some (violent) backlash towards them. Again, being left in peace works both ways.
@@RoelSteeghs-l2o it really is, the flags, rainbow crosswalks and tshirts etc… half the tv shows and movies have multiple characters. This narrative that the letter mob is oppressed is nonsense, they are backed by every major bank and business. Chemically castrating confused children is disgusting. If you are a straight white male that doesn’t agree with any part of it, you are labeled a bigot. A vocal minority that is shoving their way of life in everyone’s faces. Like I already stated..I don’t care what you do in your bedroom. I’m just tired of it being pushed on society. Lots of people agree with me , but are afraid to say it.
I am so glad the lady in the audience next to you asked you about your experience and that you felt welcomed in that pride comedy show. For me as a German I am so glad that we have the freedom and openness. Your video reminds me of how precious it is and that there are places on this earth, were people are forced into silence and hiding who they truly are. Your voice and work is very important!
Freedom and openness... damn what a joke. I live in Germany! What the heck are you talking about? Only because you can pretend to be a woman as a man and have a beard as a woman, means a lot but not freedom. Especially the Germans are VERY narrow minded people, no matter where you go. Being pro gayness doesnt make one "opened".
About 40 years ago, my sister - a young woman from East Germany - fell in love with a young man from West Germany. It was hard as it can be for them to see and spend time with each other. It was still the 80s and there was the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain. But in those days, it was possible for citizens of West-Berlin to visit East-Berlin for 24 hours. And there was a growing gay community in Berlin (that is why your video brought back the story to my mind, and I am telling this story to you). There were for sure gay men in East-Berlin as well, and they were in contact with the gay community in West-Berlin, too. It was the 80s and there were still no fingerprints in the passports and all men had the same mustache and haircut (mullets, do you remember 🤣). So gays from the western went to eastern part of the city. They had parties, alcohol and other stuff and exchanged passports to let people from the East go to the West and to allow people from the West to stay longer than the permitted 24 hours in the East. Then my sister's western boyfriend got in contact with someone from the gay community and with the described people-exchange in Berlin he managed to visit my sister for a whole weekend and sometimes even more. So without this gay community, my sister wouldn't have been able to meet this young man... and I wouldn't be the uncle of two wonderful people who are my niece and my nephew. Thank you for bringing back these memories of this story to me.
What a wonderful recap, (I have followed some GBR writings, peoples experiences etc and have a medium format GBR camera kit). Greetings from New Zealand.
I really loved your wearing a Georgian shirt in Berlin! As a Georgian, I am very happy that such a progressive young person chose my country as her residence, albeit probably temporarily.
So nice to see you in Amsterdam, capital of my country The Netherlands. Glad you've been able to escape from Russia and hope you will find love and happiness in your life. Keep posting your videos and sharing your thoughts and adventures from all around Europe. ❤❤❤
Netherlands is such a confusing and interesting country. How can you have one of the most progressive society in the world but also so much conservative politicians?! How do you do that? Do you people don't care about the Suits up there and just do what feels right? I'm your neighbor, lower saxony - germany. Here it's... exhausting. Most people are still afraid of diversity as it be the most horrible thing in the world but always LOVE to visit the Netherlands. As to state Genesis "A land of cofusion" I live in. Much love!
I'm straight myself with many gay friends and at the beginning of the video I didn't catch your sarcasm when you basically said how disgusting you thought it would all be. I have Asperger's Syndrome and even now, after years of help sometimes I still don't catch sarcasm because I admit Natasha that I was a bit horrified when I heard you say that. I'm glad you're not close-minded. From watching your other videos and knowing how you escaped the totalitarian hell that your homeland has become I should've known that those weren't your true feelings. Anyway, I'm really happy for you that you get to finally experience Western Europe. I've only been to Germany and the Czech Republic back in high school and it was amazing. Have a wonderful time and just be happy that you can breathe freely and easily. Joel
I'm not aspergers or autistic, and I reacted the same way, as would anyone who doesn't know her. I even unsubscribed. But after watching the whole thing, I subscribed again.
I'm an Asparagus as well. Well, I was diagnosed after they abandoned that label, so actually, I am 'just' a highly intelligent autistic now. But when I heard that bit, I frowned too (being not familiar with Natasha at all), but didn't judge before the end of the video to see where that was going.
The Pink Triangle is the patch Homosexual Prisoners wore in N*zi Concentration Camps in WW II. That’s the meaning of the monument. To commemorate the people who were imprisoned and died in those camps under the Pink Triangle patch.
Thanks, I had somehow not heard of this despite knowing the infamous gold stars. It’s a bit trippy for me that the color pink was chosen to tar and feather them with. Because when I think of the oppressed 20th century gay community I tend to think of either hyper masculine, muscular, and leatherbound Tom of Finland type characters, or just normal men who acted the exact same as straight men other than their very secretive underground personal lives (with some even having wives)-like Alan Turing for example. Didn’t seem like vibrant and flamboyant colors were associated with gay men until the normalization of coming out of the closet and pride parades from the 1960s to 1990s. (When talking about Turing I obviously meant normal as in how he lived and presented himself, obviously not his incredible genius mind and accomplishments. Such a tragedy. He more than any man single-handedly assured the Allied countries won the war by cracking the Enigma code with his team at Bletchley Park. He probably saved 10s of millions of lives and potentially a further decade of occupation and brutalization for the people of Europe. Or a hellish scenario where the N*zis actually won. It’s absolutely outrageous that the English government “thanked” him by arresting him and forcing him to be sterilized.)
Ironically I only found that out yesterday...there is a page on Wikipedia that has a break down of all the different colours the Nazis used for the triangles and what they represented in relation to the wearer. Fair play to Amsterdam for having a memorial to the pink triangle, to ensure that time in the history of Europe is not forgotten.
But not to forget, that in the first year of Nazi tyranny, from January 1933 until June 1934 the first concentration camps were ruled by the SA, the nazi goon squad led by the unabashed homosexuals Ernst Röhm, Edmund Heines and Karl Ernst! Evadees and survivors witnessed in the emigration press, to have been raped and beaten in these camps by the homosexual SA-guards! The soviet writer Maxim Gorky wrote in the "Prawda" Germany could have spared Fascism by eradicating in time homosexuality!
@@Northstander I saw it relatively recently in the excellent PBS historical drams series World On Fire that takes place in WW II. I was sorry when it stopped after 3 seasons.
Natasha it makes my heart happy to see you enjoying Pride events, because I have found them to be some of the most joyous, life-affirming events I have ever been to. The feeling of love and support is palpable, and the unbridled joy is infectious. I feel like they fill my emotional battery up so I can face the year ahead with strength. I really hope you will be able to live in a country that supports its LGBTQIA+ community in this way. Hugs from New Zealand, the 13th country in the world (and the first in the Asia - Pacific region) to legalise same-sex marriage ❤🧡💛💚💙💜
OMG, as an ally living in America, I just wanted to say how interesting it was to get a Russian's pespective on this. And also see the pride event in Amsterdam, my fasvorite city on Earth! I hope you get to stay there long enough to wander around all the side streets and have many meals in all the little 'pleins' they have there.
if she declared this at start of youtube career i doubt she would have even 50k subs. Exploiting trust of others to pursue ur damned agenda. I unsubscribed now, wish i've done it sooner. Wish her health and fortune though. But the way she chose to live with instead of fighting it i doubt it will be easy at least considering consequences of mental and body health. We all can choose our path. EU promotes u to stay in the wrong road whole life. Russia stops that promotion from happening. Which is good thing. Bad thing only seen by those that wanna live the sin of lust and degeneracy. Such a pity. Go on. Keep importing lads. You are doing fine in ruining your civilization. Doom of Europe...
Eh. It's just the one travel vlog that got some traction from being political because she was in the right place at the right time and she is young and attractive. If you'll notice most of her viewers seem to be American. Americans love hearing about how scary and evil Russia and China are all the time. If you watch other travel vlogs you'll probably notice most tend to strictly avoid partisanship. Natasha here makes no such effort. Not condemning or condoning it but I think it's a little bit of a reach to say that she's speaking for a generation. She does an incredible job and I always loved the videos exploring the small towns in eastern parts of Russia. She's not even particularly well educated about a lot of the stuff she brings up.
i have been watching your channel since you were making videos of the neighborhood where you grew up. it seems to me that the more miles you put between Russia and yourself the more freely you speak. i enjoy it and luv your sarcasm.
🌈 I'm straight, but I love and support all my lgbtq friends and family. I started watching your channel before I knew you were gay, and that aspect of your life hasn't changed my opinion of you or your work. You are brave not only in your journey, but also in showing us the world through your eyes. May your success continue, and may you find peace and home along the way.
We ran into a PRIDE event in Hamburg when we took our young son to a model train thing and it was joyous and fun! It really made our day trip to the city, great memories, high energy and terrific MUSIC, loved dancing in the streets for the whole family! Then we took the train back to Berlin that evening, exhausted. ❤🌈We are all people!
I like your humor on the subject, even though it feels a little bitter. But I can understand why that is. I like that you had the opportunity to see for yourself how things are handled in other countries. As you rightly point out, there is homophobia there too and the events you attended may have given a somewhat rosy picture. The crucial difference is that as a lesbian you are not openly discriminated against by the state. Your sexuality is your private matter and is nobody else's business if you don't want it to be. I'm waiting with curiosity for your upcoming videos from various European countries.
@@flawyerlawyertv7454 this used to be the conservative way. If anyone asked my grandpa about his personal affairs, he would say “none of your business”. Sadly now most conservatives want to be all in your business - your bedroom, your library, with your doctor.
Sure, but why is it getting shoved down everyone’s throats. What you do with your life is up to you but why do they get special treatment…..parades and holidays, these people are not war heroes. It is plain to see that the agenda is getting pushed by a certain “group.”
I was friends with several gays and lesbians that also asked me to support them in a gay parade. I only didn't go because I don't like large crowds - but there's nothing wrong with being straight and supporting your friends. The values of being yourself, accepting and loving who you are is desperately needed everywhere 🌈- also with other marginalized groups like disabled... I was going to school in 2004 and a friend came out then. It was still a struggle then and I accompanied him sometimes to clubs where all were welcome. Ironically I felt really safe there, knowing I'd get no drunk guys trying to start something. Dancing freely 💃 was so liberating - I think everyone can try it. Though I was a bit hesitant to invite my then boyfriend to accompany me too. I felt almost privileged to be welcomed still, introduced to other friends - getting a peak into their lives. I especially loved the drag queens - I couldn't sit trough doing so much makeup, but the results looked stunning. A living art piece. 😍
I am straight man 85 yes. I say love whomever you want. A former PM & father of current one Trudeau said 'we have no business in the bedrooms of Canadians.' Be free!
Hi Natasha! You're such a good traveler essayist - i'll comment a while later because your video came up (again!) while i'm making dinner. Saw a drag comedy act long ago (in the 1980's) by accident, out with my gf. By the time we left we were both still laughing, tell you later, you look & sound great as always! 👍 and 😘.
@@rm9sbg93zxjzg That's exactly the problem with the entire woke culture... as soon as minorities try to impose their viewpoints as political movement others get mad. In general, it's not a good idea to impose something that people don't want, no matter if minority or not, but apart from that nobody cares if someone's gay or not in modern Europe.
I enjoy the Russian sense of irony and sarcasm. I recently noticed Kitten Yulia's YTube commentary about Russian life. She has a similar cadence and sensibility to Natasha. Very brave and insightful with a somewhat similar verbal rhythm.
For me, LBGTQ+ is a non topic. Really. I am straight, but I really don't care what anybody's sexual preferences are. I care about what kind of humans they are and what they contribute to the world. Straight or LGBTQ+, I don't care.
The only thing I would say extra is that nobody wants to see demonstrations of sexual activity at the pride parades. Holding hands, hugging , kisses are fine. bumping and grinding and nakedness is not cool. Straight people are not running around naked and neither should the LGBTQAI plus. Love who you want . Be respectful. Recall what happened on the White House lawn , breasts were exposed by a transwoman . Not good. That does not help the cause.
Likewise. It's a non-topic. As long there are good people and they're happy being who they are then what do their sexual preferences have to do with me. I'm cool if they want to celebrate it. I'm cool if they want to be private about it. As with anybody else celebrating their femininity, their masculinity, their favourite football club or simply quietly going about their daily business.
In the country where I was born (Bulgaria) public opinion is still a bit polarised. Sadly every year during the LGBT parade a pro-russian party would organise a protest..."in suport of the traditional christian values". I guess you are familiar with the rhetorics. But anyways - gay people are free to declare themselves as such and they would be largely understood and supported by the majority of the citizens. The country where I live (Kosovo) on the other hand is really extraordinary. It has muslim prevailing population and is maybe the only muslim country in the world with a female president. She (the president) together with the Prime minister by tradition attend the annual LGBT parade. Just to show support and engagement. This country keeps amazing me. Btw I like your sarcasm too :)
@@Edde1018 Yes...Currently . Those pro-Russia parties would change over the years. Before it was NFSB (National front for salvation of Bulgaria), before them - ATAKA (Attack). What never changes is that at any given time there is at least one political party that is allegedly financed by Russia which takes the vote of the far right nationalists and those that feel nostalgic for the past... and actively tries to disturb the political landscape - both in the country and in the EU institutions. Like AfG in Germany, Fides in Hungary or FNA in France. Vazrazhdane might very well be the worst we had in Bulgaria yet. Btw in Bulgarian "Vazrazhdane" (Възраждане) means resurrection. Hopefully they will lose steam soon and its gonna be fine... til the next political project financed by Putin.
There have been a few instances of Muslim countries with female Prime Ministers, although the two examples that come readily to mind are not particularly inspiring or encouraging.
I'm a 74 year old gay man; my husband and I have been together 28 years, married 11 years. The attitudes in Russia are just as primitive as they were in the U.S.A. when I was young. But such 'traditional' values are inhumane and deny the truth of human sexuality and gender. That so-called traditional culture that rejects gay people is based on the old Catholic 'Natural Law', which is neither natural nor 'law'. I feel so deeply sorry for LGBT in Russia who still have to suffer the 'closet' and all that means. I really hope the situation there improves. I also raised two children who are now in their late 40s and I taught high school for 35 years. When it was finally OK, I was an 'out gay teacher', and I never had a problem with administrators, students or parents. I was perfectly safe and respected as a gay teacher, and my husband was included in school social events, just like other spouses.. Of course it isn't 'degenerate' to be gay. What a stupid idea to call it that. LGBT have always existed and always will. Кстати, я также говорю по-русски и по-немецки. Когда-то я был русским лингвистом в армии. Я многое разучил по-русски, но все еще могу немного говорить и писать.
What a lovely video, Natasha! It's always fantastic to discover new things abroad, but Amsterdam during Pride especially! Finding something that let's you express and explore your own identity like that must have been amazing. So happy that you got to experience that!
The text on the Homomonument says 'Naar vriendschap zulk een mateloos verlangen.' (For friendship, such an infinite deep longing.) is taken from a poem by the Dutch writer and poet called Jacob Israel de Haan. A Gay Jewish teacher from a poor background with the admirable courage to write about and be openly gay in the Netherlands during the beginning of the 20th century. When I arrived in Amsterdam as someone from the community, the line always touched me very deeply. Even writing about it now cracks me up a little. To reflect to your previous post, that feeling of friendship knowing how to define it, turning out to be love, not for someone of the same sex, was how I gradually discovered my true self as well. The full poem reads: TO A YOUNG FISHERMAN Fairer still than a rose, your cheeks aglowing, Your feet more graceful than a tulip’s stem And in your eyes there sparkled like a gem, For friendship, such an infinite deep longing. Behind us was the endlessness of the sea, Above us greyly gazed the endless light, We two stood on the strand, so solit’ry, With just the sea’s smell. No-one was in sight. Last day together, townwards I remove. Contentedly he fishes, while I brood And find no peace in fields nor city streets. I am exhausted, so many loves I’ve had. Forgive me much, ask not what I withstood And pray your beauty ne’er my will defeats.
I'm a bisexual and non binary person from Romania so, basically, homophobic eastern Europe. It's depressing! Whenever I go to some western country(which is a couple of times or more every year so it's not new but always impactful either way) it is the only time I feel like I can just be and fewer people would judge me. No matter how many times I go, it's always emotional for me to see same sex couples and gender non conforming people out and about acting freely as who they are. In Romania I see maybe 2-3 same sex couples a year being obvious on the street, I see a lot more in a day abroad. Last couple of years I happened to go to London during pride month and seeing the rainbow flag on official buildings, university buildings, etc again made me emotional every single time. The theatres and other cultural venues almost all do all sorts of LGBT awareness and celebration stuff, it's amazing. Now, considering there's a long way to go even in those countries, it really puts into perspective how bad people like us have it in this region. This place has made it so I never felt like I belong and always apprehensive to talk about who I am, not even out of fear but because I feel people being either supportive but totally ignorant or actually having homophobic views. While being gay isn't illegal and the state doesn't persecute LGBT people in Romania, that's basically all the rights we have, it's legal to exist. There's no marriage, no civil partnership, trans people have no legal pathway to changing their documents to reflect their gender and most people are either ignorant or downright homophobic. The state does nothing to help the 2-3 non profit organizations trying to help change things for queer people and during Pride month there's basically only the parade and some small scale events these NGOs organize.
There is a Czech well known gay youtuber and from his experiences, he was more targeted in so-called west than here. People spitted at him and his boyfriend in Sweden, they were almost attacked in Paris....but no problems at all here in Czechia.
@@Pidalin Czechia and Slovenia aren't good examples, you can't compare them to Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, the rest of the Balkans and Eastern Europe, u gotta be for real. I've been in almost all of Europe, I even temporarily studied in Germany, there is no comparison and homophobia doesn't start or end with cases of verbal or physical harassment, there's a lot more than that and it's the day to day reality of living in a society and culture that treats you with ignorance and as invisible at best or an abomination at worst, no equal rights, no support, the state completely unconcerned with combating bigotry, 80% of people are conditioned to have negative biases about LGBT people, ignorance is prevalent, here in my country there's not even any queer public figures and maybe only one or two who openly support our rights, all the significant parties are low or high key homophobic and sexist, you get the idea. The west has plenty of homophobia and toxic gender norms left but significantly less, there is so much more freedom and diversity, so much more education on these issues encouraged and promoted at state level, so much more visibility(well, maybe apart from Italy). For example, in Bucharest and most of Romania you can walk and feel completely safe alone in the middle of the night just like in the middle of the day(not saying there's no petty theft and assaults, ofc there is some crime like that but statistically super low and concentrated in small areas), it's all in all safer than most of the western capitals. Does that mean Romania is better overall to live in unless you're a white heterosexual cis man earning a good salary? No. Ah, if you're a heterosexual white male with money, even more so if you're an expat, Romania is great. If you're a woman, a gender non conforming/trans person, gay or bisexual and progressive....you are safe on the street but your chances or experiencing any type of abuse and conflict in your family and with your spouse are very great, mental health...good luck with that cause no one cares, etc. I'd pick London or even Paris(and I really don't like Paris) over Romania still
@@entity22 I remember when that Czech gaytuber (I've just created a new word) had his comming out and he was afraid of reactions and everyone was like: "Ok, you are gay and?" Like people here just don't care or they make some stupid jokes, but they are not really dangerous, mostly. But I know examples of families where their kid announced that she is a lesbian and her family kicked her out of house because of that, but these are mostly some rednecks from villages. There are even some politicians and tv moderators that are gay, pople were making jokes about or were saying bad things back in the day, but after years, nobody cares about it anymore, people got used to it that these people exist. We actually have Romanian workers in our company, so I slightly know them, but I think they don't really represent your country, because if they were usefull, they wouldn't be looking for job in other post communist country. 😀
This, to me, is the best vlog from you so far in your highly productive career. I am not gay myself, but have spent much of my younger years among gay people in mostly Malmoe. I enjoyed their company because of all the love I sensed from them. Not love like everybody fucking everybody all the time. That is the demeaning picture the homophobics use. I mean love as in having a welcoming attitude towards the world and being accepting to other peoples differencies. Of course, not all gay people are like that. But the ones I have taken to my heart has been like that. Seeing this video reminded me that the lgbt liberties we enjoy here in Sweden are nothing to take for granted. They are precious and need to be safequarded. I am really happy for you Natasha. I follow you on yt and even have conversations about your life journey with my partner. I think you are doing an incredible job showing the world the ”other” russian perspective. I wish uou all the best and, should you ever travel the northern regions of Sweden and need assistance of any sort - contact me. Me and my family will be there.
I so agree. I am not gay either, but I lived through the hippy era of the sixties which was, for me at least, a period of tolerance, kindness and aspiration to a better world. Natasha is such a bright candle in a sometimes quite dark world.
As a heterosexual, I have never behaved discriminative towards homosexuals, so much so that I ended up going out with an entire international group of them for several months. They all offered themselves to me, they all tried to convince me that I was gay too. At one point, one of them started stalking me, phoned me constantly, tried to put me up against my parents and my friends, left me the keys to his apartment and endangered my job. I broke of all contact with everyone and a while later the stalker committed suicide. Today, I’m incredibly happy that I didn’t fell victim to rape during that period. Which in retrospect, could have been a possibility…
@elevenseven-yq4vu No, I have always been true to myself and turned out to be strong enough. Sad though, I have only been approached by women in the north of England and Eastern Europe. In my own Western European country, I have only been explicitly approached by homosexual men...🤷
Hey there! I’m from Amsterdam, and honestly, I don’t care if someone is gay or not. I’m not gay myself, but I write thrillers that feature a gay couple (two women) living in Boston and working for an anti-terrorism unit. I’m glad you enjoyed your stay in Amsterdam and had a great time at the gay pride, comedy shows, and everything else!
I’m female, straight and have no issue with Pride. LGBTQ have been persecuted for their existence. They have every right to express their feelings and pride in their existence and community. LGBTQIA people were born who they are supposed to be 🌈 ⭐️ Many of my bf and my friends are part of that community. We want to be welcoming to everyone. 🫶🏽
@@leonply Oh? Please. Natasha, as far as I can tell, is being playful, satirical, and tongue-in-cheek. Natasha is not the character that she is portraying.
@@deeliciousplum Better watch it again, looking a bit more closely about how she is saying things. Not doing any research about anything, she makes hateful and hate-filled statements, expecting her far-right viewpoints to be taken as wisdom. Hate is not wisdom. Hate is just hate.
Hello Natasha, you are learning me about things that i seldom think about. I am not gay, and i have two grown up daughters and you Would probably think that i am oh just one of those old white men who dont q. Yes i dont understand everything, But it makes me happy to see that you remind me How fortunate i am being grown up in a ” free country ” Thank you. Keep up good work
I love your sarcasm. It's so wonderful that you got to see Amsterdam during pride month. And got to visit other countries. I hope you get to fulfill your goal of visiting every country in the world. Keep up the great work! You seem much more relaxed :)
Traditional family values in the west: two people, regardless of their gender, should be able to safely start a family with the state being there to provide some kind of support in case something goes wrong; state will intervene if you beat or otherwise abuse your kid Traditional family values in Russia: one of two parents can be forcibly dragged out of their home and thrown as a cannon fodder in a battlefield while the state gives no sh*t about slave's family's well-being; state will turn a blind eye if you beat your kid with a stick as long as you don't tell them "LGBT propaganda" or call the "special military operation" a "war"
Thanks Natasha, I am moved by your reflection and analysis in this video, you are a special, sweet, honest woman, I hope you can live in freedom. Much love from the Netherlands 🇳🇱 ❤❤❤
As a lesbian you can apply asylum in Europe on humanitarian due. I am not saying you will have your application granted. It's not up to me. I am just saying that you can apply on humanitarian due
Yes. If you are pervert you are welcomed. But if you are an ordinary white man, who pays taxes you are the most undesirable person in Europe. That is why ultra right parties are so popular nowdays
due = grounds apply *for* asylum An important message. I hope Natasha sees your comment in case she decides to change her mind in the future about where she wants to call home.
Natasha! I remember at the beginning of the pandemic I had a lot of time on my hands and a growing interest in Eastern Russia, and found these neat, informative videos about Spassk and Vladivostok. I thought "here's an introspective, curious person, let's give them a follow..." Seeing you get out of Russia and get to have experiences like this is truly amazing. Thank you for sharing!
I haven't watched the entire thing, but I just wanted to say that as a queer person, I love that you shared your initial anxieties and how you managed to move past them. That fearful response you speak of is something more people go through, and I think it's super helpful that you have shown them that actually, the vibe at Pride is basically akin to a festival - very chill and surprisingly spacious (except for the Pride Parade - that's very busy!) and basically everybody is nice to each other. (Although admittedly, queer folks can have a bit of a confusing definition of nice if you are inexperienced with them). To me, Pride is about being witnessed for who you truly are, regardless of your identities. It is about radical acceptance of ourselves a human beings, and celebrating of all the beautiful ways in which we can differ. As I said I haven't seen the entire video, but for the parts that I saw: I love your ability to awe and soak up all those experiences, consider yourself invited to next year :)
The situation in the Netherlands is different to the rest of Western Europe as the Dutch are much more liberal as for example the Germans. Berlin is not very typical as it was always its own cosmic space since the 1920s.. Also relationship towards Russia might be more relaxed in NL than further East, where it depends. In general queer events are accepted in Europe now, but in the Netherlands it is a very open and obvious scene occuring even in kids TV and almost nobody cares while elsewhere it is more limited to specific events/communities/spaces and certainly there is a big difference between cities and countryside. However, it always depends on individuals, too.
My impression is that German society on the whole used to be more open about 15 to 20 years ago than it is nowadays. Ever since the rise of the AfD (during the last 10 years) it has become a total shitshow, and each year is getting worse when it comes to anti-queer hatred. By "traditional values" these anti-LGBTQ activist mostly mean being sexist and abusive, so their "family values" are basically null and void, many of them regard children as property or political soldiers to be programmed taking sides in their culture war. Their activism has grown in intensity as well as in insanity, with paranoid conspiracy nutcases, fascists, Trumpists, islamistic as well as both catholic and evangelical christian fundamentalists gaining traction in the scene, organizing across the board and also growing in sheer numbers, but also all kinds of other politically disgruntled groups looking for a frustration-venting outlet or plainly scapegoats jumping on that bandwagon to garner attention by screaming loudly from within an already well-established mob or merely to vent their anger against the even more marginalized instead of the powerful. It's as appalling as it is looking bleak.
It's my impression that German society 15-20 years ago used to be more open than it is nowadays towards queer people. Ever since the rise of the AfD (during the last 10 years) it has become a total shit-show. The "traditional values" of these anti-LGBTQ activists mostly consist of being sexist and abusive, and therefore their "family values" are null and void, most of them view children as property or soldiers to be programmed for their culture war. Their activism has become more intense as well as more insane with fascists, Trumpists, paranoid conspiracy nutcases, islamistic as well as both catholic and evangelical christian fundamentalists gaining traction and organizing across the board, their influence growing as well as their numbers. They are being joined by all kinds of politically disgruntled cowardly folks who don't mind jumping on a bandwagon as long as it gives them a platform to attract attention by yelling offensive shit and venting their frustration against people already marginalized more than themselves instead of at the powerful. By now, even former leftists are quick to join that mob. It is truly appalling, and it is looking bleak.
@@elevenseven-yq4vu Yes and no, all those groups are much louder today than 20 years ago, but it does not mean they did not exist then. People were more optimistic in the past and therefore also a bit more relaxed and open minded and speaking out revisionistic or fascist views was seen uncool. On the other hand Germany (and other Central European Countries) have undergone strong modernization in law and society since then. So also the discriminated groups became much louder, better known and they have more rights. Today discussion is about how trans persons should participate in sports and if same sex married couples should adopt kids. Then many people did not know that trans persons exist and same sex marriage was inexistant. That many people might be more scared is however understandable. Aggression and violence is more obvious now and the perspective is not that clear as progressive parties losing power.
Love this one! So happy for you to see that large amounts of people in europe accept that being gay is pretty much normal these days! On your travels please visit the UK we have a great gay scene, obviously we still have the old school generation but you can safely ignore that part, you'll have a wonderful experience! Please keep the videos coming!
@@marcusdamberger From what I've researched, if Natasha had applied for a UK visa first then Schengen it apparently would have been easier, but that's by the by.... but yes, it's still possible to apply for a UK visa on the back of a Schengen. Obviously time factors into this, so not sure she has the time to go through the loops
Fascinating .... I live in Prague, and we have the Pride parade here every year during the summer..... I have never attended/cared to go to see (on the same level i am not interested in football matches for example). And now somebody talking excitedly about "its possible to have a Pride parade in city XY and everything is OK, some people attend, some people have other business to do" .... It probably tells more about situation in Russia than 20-page article by a political scientist:) Thanks God for what we have here!!!
When I worked in a big American city, my boss used to visit his elderly mother in rural Iowa. One day he noticed that the farmhouse next to his mother’s place was flying 2 very large Pride flags. He asked his mother if there were new neighbours, and his mother told him that the elderly religious couple next door had gone to San Francisco and were amazed at all the “Christian rainbow flags” there (the Bible says that God gives rainbows, like he did after the flood, to remind people of His presence). The sweet old couple thought that San Francisco was full of Christians! 😂
Love to see you visiting my city! I've actually been following you for a long time and have seen your channel grow. Especially seeing you go through the consequences of the ongoing war right now.. I think you're doing an amazing job going on with TH-cam like this. Keep up with it please. Much love from Amsterdam!
Nice video. I like that you are exploring and learning. You might inspire another person who had the same doubts you had. One step at a time. Keep surprising yourself. A fan and follower from Canada 🇨🇦
Natasha, so happy your video title was ironic,I "know" you a little,fortunately,and you hit Bull's eye of course.. Amsterdam is a place of liberty that must have blown your head,notely the Association for deaf queer persons...... good, you need now to digest all that, all EU you saw and still see now I think, lots of stories to tell to your Tbilisi friends, lots of thoughts alone in your room, also..It's so good you feel safe here,I liked it...A thought for Pigeon..paka
Of all the countries to start with, The Netherlands! Beautiful place, beautiful people. Article 8 of the Constitution of the Netherlands: Freedom of Assembly. Without that, you cannot truly have a nation. You have wolves and sheep.
Considering what you've shared with us of your life story, it is so interesting to hear your perspective on everything, especially since i do believe that you are being honest and truthful. Wishing you only the best. Thanks for sharing.
@@CaneandunableWhy not? It’s for them to decide how they wish to live and creating a political common community is the only way to gain rights and freedoms.
@@andrew30m Because Pride is being used by the far left to bring in State control. Always look at who organises, donates money and who is shouting the loudest, The best event would be no pride. Think about it……
I'm sorry that you had to witness this debauchery and want to apologize in the name of all of Europe. But I don't get how you can grow up in a country which has such sane values and still fall for this degenerate brainwashing. I think Russia did the right thing by banning this propaganda, and we need laws like this in all of Europe. Protect the family, protect our children, protect our society, protect the beautiful design God gave us humans.
Thank you for doing this video. I always enjoy your insights and narration. I admire your English a great deal and am impressed at how eloquently you speak. Thanks, again, for this video. Good luck in all your travels!
The bike-lane-walkers... ;.. a highly marginalized minority.... often addressed with very derogatory words accompanied with at least two deadly diseases.
Red road means dead; from all the blood of the bike lane walkers. 😅 Amsterdam might be a bit extreme in the rudeness, but I somehow understand the locals, it is not Disneyland.
It is an important lesson one learns quickly in NL. Being LGBTQ is no issue but stepping in front of a bike will not go over well. Watch for bike lanes and shoulder check when changing direction while walking in a small street, as the bikes can be quiet and fast.
@@verskarton Well, he visited Amsterdam about 10 years ago and he was 'welcomed' with rainbow flags as protests against the anti gay propaganda laws in Russia at the time
To anybody getting pressed after the first minute, calm down, it's sarcasm. Natasha is a lesbian and it is not safe for her to be properly out in Russia so she is happy to be in a place where she can finally celebrate pride without fear.
@@johnrgrillot9901 Of course they are welcome, if they themselves are welcoming and supportive. Respectful disagreement is not a problem in a community that welcomes and supports people from ALL walks of life.
Yeah and these over the top rainbow events are totally not the place for that. Natasha would be safer visiting Amsterdam on any other day. She would be safe and welcomed by real Amsterdammers. Not by these attention seeking morons who come there from elsewhere. We are sick and tired of these prides and campaigns in our dutch cities because we have always cherished equality and this idiocy should stop. They are literally causing MORE hatred towards lgbt people whom we have always accepted. And the rainbow flag even does not stand for pride events. It stands for DIVERSITY. That includes straight people, black, white, yellow, brown and so on.
I'm in the UK, we've just had pride and my city and the people fully support it. We also have a gay quarter in the city, bars and comedy clubs open all year. It's a small area but amongst the safest in the city, and fun - so it's popular with straight people too. My daughter goes to pride, despite being straight, and it's very inclusive and welcoming - just like Amsterdam. Like you, I'm uncomfortable at times with large and unfamiliar social events and very self conscious - I'm glad you had a good time, and I hope eventually that you feel comfortable being all that you want to be. You're a beautiful person, and those that meet and know you are lucky. As always, a great video, it was interesting, I've never seen the Amsterdam pride, thanks.
@@Corvusdotensis It's not my thing, but live and let live. I'm guessing you walk around with eyes closed. Turkey has gay bars. Moscow and St Petersburg have gay bars. Mongolia has a gay bar. There are hidden ones in Pakistan. Maybe you never leave the house - probably best if you're in Antarctica. React away, no one gives a stuff.
I really appreciated seeing your reaction to how the LGBTQ+ community in Europe celebrates the love, light, and life of the community! I am in the USA, and although we are not as "progressive" as Western Europe when it comes to the normalization of things...we are making BIG strides forward. And that is why, for many of us, the Presidential Election in the USA this year is so VERY important. We don't want to go backwards!!! Thanks again!
Your finally opening your eyes as to the wests attitude to Gays......not everyone accepts it BUT attitudes are changing and its about time...I reside in Canada and Gay events/parades are held all around the country. You are beginning to have more confidence in yourself and and realizeing you are not alone. I really hope that you are able to join with like minded people and gain some new friends. Best of Luck to you in your new adventures.From an old 82 year old straight male........
Natasha as you are in the Dutchies. Check if you can apply for student visa if interested. Good for 3 till 5 years. Opportunity for a degree and will allow to travel Europe and even switching between universities in other countries 😊 👋🇧🇪🇰🇷
Back in 1999, I remember the many LGBT clubs in St Petersburg, also a huge one in Moscow that had hundreds of LGBT enjoying themselves. The Russian term at the time was 'blue', and everyone was so friendly. Sad to think, but I wonder what has happened to all those lovely Russian individuals some 25 years later?
The 90s seem to have been a time of great optimism but also gross financial mismanagement in Russia. It’s economic situation improved since but it has regressed asa society into a police state and dictatorship. Unfortunately, in Russian history, that has been the norm. From serfdom under the Tsar to a totalitarian “communist” state to a dictatorship. They didn’t know what to do with democracy for the brief window they had it.
Thank you for the video. It was painfully obvious how these decaying values hurt you. You really excelled at translating those irretrievable regrets throughout the entire thing. I must say, it was truly worth watching! Stay safe and take care. Seriously.
Western Europe and US could only become communist thru sleight of hand maneuvers, various subversive agendas promoted. I am aggrieved to now understand that the hippy movement, heavily publicized by the media, was part of that trickery and certainly, excessive feminism and gender pettiness go along with all of that. Eastern Europe got communism by force but the more effective way is to make a capitalist country communist while still claiming its capitalist and that is what they have done in the west
Блин я из маленького городка, мечтаю пока сходить в гей-бар в Питере или Москве, а прайд вообще конечно мечта. Я была в Италии в 18 году, даже просто видеть рекламу прайда в метро было круто. Ты будто наполняешься внутренний радостью
I don't think I've ever commented on any of your videos until now. I just wanted to say how very proud I am of you for this video. It helps to ensure me that freedom and individual liberties will ultimately prevail in this hate-filled world regardless of the strides recently being made by fascist authoritarians in several major countries, including the US. Btw, this sentiment is from a straight person.
Im happy for you that you are able to travel to all these "evil" countrys in "degenerate" europe and that you can feel safe here. 💜 Thank you for sharing your experiences and your story. I hope that better sooner than later the Lgbtqia+ cummunities and everybody else back at home in Russia will be free and can feel safe. 🙏
@@deanosaur808 We moved to the Scotland from NL in '51 when I was 7 years old. I was startled by quite a few things and people talking as if Europe was somewhere else was one of them. Among the other startling things were non-decimal currency and weights and measures, English spelling and corporal punishment in schools. Sorry Natashia, I should be commenting on your video. My visits to NL have a different character from yours. I look about me and think, if my parents hadn't moved me to Scotland I'd be one of these people! Europe is delightfully complex🙂
I know it is ridicolous, but I was actually feeling proud when I saw you coming to Sweden (my country)! I admire your bravery, because you are so obviously very afraid of doing these travels and putting yourself in front of people, but you do it anyway and THAT is bravery! I hope to be like that one day. :) And yes, western corporations are blatantly exploiting Pride and HBTQ-events for their own selfish profits, BUT that at least proves that western societies are positive towards such things! I hope you have somehow managed to get in contact with Swedens most famous HBTQ activist at the moment, Linnea Claeson. That would be awesome, I imagine!
I personally don't feel exploited by corporations advertising support for us, so much better than the alternative. It just seems like such a negative attitude to take. Better to apply that negative attitude towards the corporations that are homophobic. They deserve it.
@@RonRobertson-lafrance It's great that you don't feel expointed, just as long as you realize that their support for you is NOT driven by ideological reasons but by financial. The "Anti-Woke" alt-Righters are trying to sell the idea that they are, but they're not. Just look at the Russian corporation changing their tune as soon as they realized their sales would be effected negatively. Corpoarations are exploitative at heart, that is not being negative, it is simply being honest about economics.
No I am not planing to pack my bags to go to Russia. Traditional family values in my definition are unconditional love. Everyone should be able to live freely. I have the "traditional values" that these values are exagarated. In the Netherlands, women and men are equal. They can take parental leave to take care about their babies. They are supported by the government with financial incentives. In the same hand, the government also granted the right to same sex marriage and selfdetermination. It is important to support everyone equally. We had laws in Europe in the 1950s, where people could suspect a person of being gay. Then the police came to the house and arrested the person and jailed them. This was the law StGB 175 in Germany. It took over 100 years to overcome this law in 1994. I marched with a pride parade in Montreal and another one in Germany. I have friends in the community and I want to see them thrive, I also fall into the spectrum. So many LGBTs are disowned out by their parents and families at very dire circumstances. I like to see you travel and exploring Europe and I hope to see more videos from your experiences. You are more than welcome to Europe and Germany!
They legalized wife beating in 2017: "In February 2017, with the support of the Russian Orthodox Church, Russia decriminalized domestic violence in cases where it does not cause "substantial bodily harm" (such as broken bones or a concussion) and does not happen more than once a year."
Glad you are getting to experience the West. I also like seeing the little whimsical smile you have these days. Hopefully we'll get to see you laugh someday. Be well. Be safe.
I have nothing to say (neither pro or against) the whole LGBT community, it's a part of society and thus perfectly fine, normal, natural. Live and let live, no matter if you define or express yourself as 0, 1, or something between. Around 70% of people (Germany/Berlin) feel that way. Thanks for sharing the trip report, enjoy Europe to the fullest, stay happy!
If they were Dutch, they would have used Dutch Sign Language, not ASL (American Sign Language) or BSL (British Sign Language). Sign languages are distinct from each other, not just variants.
@@bookllama8158 Being deaf myself, I have traveled to Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Germany and I have found that the community does indeed use ASL/BSL as a "base" in order to make it not overly complicated for community members all over the world to understand basic signs. The variations correlate to that countries spoken language, ex. some spoken languages have different words that infer noun genders. I did not mean offense by using the acronyms BSL/ASL, or the use of the word "variant". I recognize that every country is distinct from each other.
People writing comments judging by the first minute of the video😅 please watch the video further (you’ll see how the WESTERN ideology changes people 🌈👹👹)
You are a dictator loving disgrace to human mankind, no matter if I have to watch this to the end - I simply, as a humanist bare myself to the end.
This might be a stereotype, but Russian women seem good at sarcasm. (You and Depressed Russian, Agent Nesty, and KittenYulia are so funny 😂)
@@paul6925 We are the unbeatable Olympic champions in sarcasm.
😅
@@dropfile It is a weapon of the oppressed 😉
I’m a straight American male. I don’t really identify with the queer community, but we are all different and people deserve to feel safe in society, no matter what they feel and believe. We must protect all and allow them to live their lives as they see fit. This, to me, is what Western values are all about. That is true freedom. Thanks for this video.
Well said.
Unfortunately this is no longer about a personal sexual preference. We now gender reassignment surgery and transgender theory pushed upon the community. Government prosecutors with unlimited money will ruin the life of anyone arguing against 'trans' in sport which is usually men who have had surgery to look like somewhat women competing in girls sport. Many you girls and boys have been misdiagnosed with gender dysmorphia and in the case of girls they are either having trouble adjusting to puberty (they hate it) or are lesbian with some aspers or boys that are unhappy. The transgender industry tell the parents the child is in danger of self harm and are scared into. Many tragedies. Eurovision has become revolting to watch and it is heart break to see women sport with by male-female trans people who win everything.
-its not surprise Russian propagandists use this absurdity to attack western liberal elites who themselves have become totalitarian as Russia in this area.
sure so long as they keep it to thesmelves which the gays refuse to do
amen & greetings from germany
Perfectly said.
During the LGBT celebrations when Ireland legalised same-sex marriage after a referendum, a spokesperson on the news said “I’d like to say a massive thank you to all the straight people who voted for us. We couldn’t have done this without you and it means the world to know that we officially have your overwhelming support.” It was a lovely moment.
"It's time, Ma!"
--- John Oliver commenting on the Irish pro-same sex marriage campaign ad where LGBT people drag their parents to vote for the proposition.
does it also have to be legitimate or just announced on the smelly vision all of the time ?
if you dont even have a right to found your own political party or participate in the same elite smelly vision selections, then i really doubt that any of that can be called legit or even remotely anything democratic
Netherlands was the first in the world and the minister Ien Dales hit her fist on the pulpit and said: "and now its enough, you will agree with this new law." And everyone did.
@@ufob How badass of her !
@@lazyshoggy She died in 1994 but we owe her a lot.
The deadpan sarcasm had me laughing from the start - I really hope anyone who jumped into the comments angry after 20 seconds of video took the time to come back and get to the point.
"The woke western degeneracy" still has me laughing. I love your content, thank you for continuing to explore the world. It's painful to have to leave your home country, but man what an adventure you've gotten to have!
Honestly, thank you for this comment, because even I someone who fluently speaks sarcasm, almost exclusively didn’t realize it was sarcasm at first.
To be honest, I actually started writing my comment 30 seconds in. I said some pretty nasty things. In 2014 I had to end my friendship with my Russian best friend because of Putin and what was happening to LGBTQ people in Russia. I showed him TH-cam videos. I explained that´s exactly what Mr. H. did back in 1933. He pretended it wasn´t true and didn´t know anything about it.
I live in Germany and a lot of Russians, who´s great-grandfather had a German shepard dog, live here. I can´t hear this rhetoric anymore. It hits deep in my gut.
The far right in the US isn´t much better either but I would still rather suffocate from McDonalds than drown in Wodka.
So, thank you for preventing me from making a fool of myself!
I was so close by being this commentor
@@peteraschaffenburg1 It could be that he just didn't say anything out of fear that he'd get jailed if he did, if you say literally anything that disagrees with Putin's government in Russia you're basically screwed. I get your position though
”People dont seem to care” is the key. Most of us really dont. Live your life the way you want, and let others live theirs.
The definition of freedom and openness.
Most individuals in those communities want be treated the same as anyone else, to live their live in peace. There are however others who want more and constantly seek the attention of others, and thus also from people that don't like them (for the part they seek attention off) and want to do something about that. Unfortunately the attention seekers also make those others aware off the other person's who simply want to live their live in (anonymous) peace (I hope you know what I mean). And the attention seekers don't do that only passively, but annoy other people with their differentness, hence some (violent) backlash towards them. Again, being left in peace works both ways.
@@Randy-MacDonald It really isn't. You just read too much in to it. Why do you care so much about it. They just have a parade a few times. Relax.
@@RoelSteeghs-l2o it really is, the flags, rainbow crosswalks and tshirts etc… half the tv shows and movies have multiple characters. This narrative that the letter mob is oppressed is nonsense, they are backed by every major bank and business. Chemically castrating confused children is disgusting. If you are a straight white male that doesn’t agree with any part of it, you are labeled a bigot. A vocal minority that is shoving their way of life in everyone’s faces. Like I already stated..I don’t care what you do in your bedroom. I’m just tired of it being pushed on society. Lots of people agree with me , but are afraid to say it.
Live and let live: So thats why these people leave the children alone.
Like with the LGTBQ-Kindergarten in Berlin.
@@RoelSteeghs-l2o You are either a fool or evil.
I am so glad the lady in the audience next to you asked you about your experience and that you felt welcomed in that pride comedy show. For me as a German I am so glad that we have the freedom and openness. Your video reminds me of how precious it is and that there are places on this earth, were people are forced into silence and hiding who they truly are. Your voice and work is very important!
Freedom and openness... damn what a joke. I live in Germany! What the heck are you talking about? Only because you can pretend to be a woman as a man and have a beard as a woman, means a lot but not freedom. Especially the Germans are VERY narrow minded people, no matter where you go. Being pro gayness doesnt make one "opened".
Aargh, I can see my bike behind you! I can't believe my bike got to meet you but I didn't! I am happy you enjoyed your time in Amsterdam!
You surely must envy your bike 😂
Haha, yeah I live close by too. So it would have been fun to meet.
This is so dutch. 😅
😂
Hoeveel volgers heeft jouw fiets? En ik hoop dat ie van jouw blijft. Have a nice all you'all.
About 40 years ago, my sister - a young woman from East Germany - fell in love with a young man from West Germany. It was hard as it can be for them to see and spend time with each other. It was still the 80s and there was the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain. But in those days, it was possible for citizens of West-Berlin to visit East-Berlin for 24 hours. And there was a growing gay community in Berlin (that is why your video brought back the story to my mind, and I am telling this story to you). There were for sure gay men in East-Berlin as well, and they were in contact with the gay community in West-Berlin, too. It was the 80s and there were still no fingerprints in the passports and all men had the same mustache and haircut (mullets, do you remember 🤣). So gays from the western went to eastern part of the city. They had parties, alcohol and other stuff and exchanged passports to let people from the East go to the West and to allow people from the West to stay longer than the permitted 24 hours in the East. Then my sister's western boyfriend got in contact with someone from the gay community and with the described people-exchange in Berlin he managed to visit my sister for a whole weekend and sometimes even more. So without this gay community, my sister wouldn't have been able to meet this young man... and I wouldn't be the uncle of two wonderful people who are my niece and my nephew.
Thank you for bringing back these memories of this story to me.
Inspiring story!
That is an amazing anecdote, Thanks.In some ways those times seem so long ago and others like yesterday.
What a wonderful recap, (I have followed some GBR writings, peoples experiences etc and have a medium format GBR camera kit). Greetings from New Zealand.
Deutschland Uber alles
What a remarkable story! ❤
I really loved your wearing a Georgian shirt in Berlin! As a Georgian, I am very happy that such a progressive young person chose my country as her residence, albeit probably temporarily.
"Progressive"? This is not progress, this is insanity! The world went crazy!
So nice to see you in Amsterdam, capital of my country The Netherlands. Glad you've been able to escape from Russia and hope you will find love and happiness in your life. Keep posting your videos and sharing your thoughts and adventures from all around Europe. ❤❤❤
Netherlands is such a confusing and interesting country. How can you have one of the most progressive society in the world but also so much conservative politicians?! How do you do that? Do you people don't care about the Suits up there and just do what feels right? I'm your neighbor, lower saxony - germany. Here it's... exhausting. Most people are still afraid of diversity as it be the most horrible thing in the world but always LOVE to visit the Netherlands.
As to state Genesis "A land of cofusion" I live in.
Much love!
I'm straight myself with many gay friends and at the beginning of the video I didn't catch your sarcasm when you basically said how disgusting you thought it would all be. I have Asperger's Syndrome and even now, after years of help sometimes I still don't catch sarcasm because I admit Natasha that I was a bit horrified when I heard you say that. I'm glad you're not close-minded. From watching your other videos and knowing how you escaped the totalitarian hell that your homeland has become I should've known that those weren't your true feelings.
Anyway, I'm really happy for you that you get to finally experience Western Europe. I've only been to Germany and the Czech Republic back in high school and it was amazing. Have a wonderful time and just be happy that you can breathe freely and easily.
Joel
She did do it totally deadpan, so it was impossible to tell unless you are familiar with her politics/education/personality/sexuality.
I'm not aspergers or autistic, and I reacted the same way, as would anyone who doesn't know her. I even unsubscribed. But after watching the whole thing, I subscribed again.
I'm an Asparagus as well. Well, I was diagnosed after they abandoned that label, so actually, I am 'just' a highly intelligent autistic now. But when I heard that bit, I frowned too (being not familiar with Natasha at all), but didn't judge before the end of the video to see where that was going.
I seem to recall that she's gay herself, although I stand to be corrected.
@@davidrboland She described herself as a lesbian at the end of the video, so yes I think that's right.
love the sarcasm🤣🤣Wishing you continued peace and happiness.
The Pink Triangle is the patch Homosexual Prisoners wore in N*zi Concentration Camps in WW II. That’s the meaning of the monument. To commemorate the people who were imprisoned and died in those camps under the Pink Triangle patch.
Thanks, I had somehow not heard of this despite knowing the infamous gold stars. It’s a bit trippy for me that the color pink was chosen to tar and feather them with. Because when I think of the oppressed 20th century gay community I tend to think of either hyper masculine, muscular, and leatherbound Tom of Finland type characters, or just normal men who acted the exact same as straight men other than their very secretive underground personal lives (with some even having wives)-like Alan Turing for example. Didn’t seem like vibrant and flamboyant colors were associated with gay men until the normalization of coming out of the closet and pride parades from the 1960s to 1990s.
(When talking about Turing I obviously meant normal as in how he lived and presented himself, obviously not his incredible genius mind and accomplishments. Such a tragedy. He more than any man single-handedly assured the Allied countries won the war by cracking the Enigma code with his team at Bletchley Park. He probably saved 10s of millions of lives and potentially a further decade of occupation and brutalization for the people of Europe. Or a hellish scenario where the N*zis actually won. It’s absolutely outrageous that the English government “thanked” him by arresting him and forcing him to be sterilized.)
@@adairjanney7109Stupid🤡
Ironically I only found that out yesterday...there is a page on Wikipedia that has a break down of all the different colours the Nazis used for the triangles and what they represented in relation to the wearer. Fair play to Amsterdam for having a memorial to the pink triangle, to ensure that time in the history of Europe is not forgotten.
But not to forget, that in the first year of Nazi tyranny, from January 1933 until June 1934 the first concentration camps were ruled by the SA, the nazi goon squad led by the unabashed homosexuals Ernst Röhm, Edmund Heines and Karl Ernst! Evadees and survivors witnessed in the emigration press, to have been raped and beaten in these camps by the homosexual SA-guards! The soviet writer Maxim Gorky wrote in the "Prawda" Germany could have spared Fascism by eradicating in time homosexuality!
@@Northstander I saw it relatively recently in the excellent PBS historical drams series World On Fire that takes place in WW II. I was sorry when it stopped after 3 seasons.
It's heartwarming to see and hear that you feel safe here! Remain this way! ;) Good luck! :)
Natasha it makes my heart happy to see you enjoying Pride events, because I have found them to be some of the most joyous, life-affirming events I have ever been to. The feeling of love and support is palpable, and the unbridled joy is infectious. I feel like they fill my emotional battery up so I can face the year ahead with strength. I really hope you will be able to live in a country that supports its LGBTQIA+ community in this way. Hugs from New Zealand, the 13th country in the world (and the first in the Asia - Pacific region) to legalise same-sex marriage ❤🧡💛💚💙💜
OMG, as an ally living in America, I just wanted to say how interesting it was to get a Russian's pespective on this. And also see the pride event in Amsterdam, my fasvorite city on Earth! I hope you get to stay there long enough to wander around all the side streets and have many meals in all the little 'pleins' they have there.
You have grown from a tourist exploring the world, into a voice for your generation. Thanks for sharing.
Well said!
We had a Russian student in the UK back in 2010 who was upset to miss Pride in Brighton. She really wanted to see something like that.
if she declared this at start of youtube career i doubt she would have even 50k subs. Exploiting trust of others to pursue ur damned agenda. I unsubscribed now, wish i've done it sooner. Wish her health and fortune though. But the way she chose to live with instead of fighting it i doubt it will be easy at least considering consequences of mental and body health. We all can choose our path. EU promotes u to stay in the wrong road whole life. Russia stops that promotion from happening. Which is good thing. Bad thing only seen by those that wanna live the sin of lust and degeneracy. Such a pity. Go on. Keep importing lads. You are doing fine in ruining your civilization. Doom of Europe...
When did the generation have a voice with hate, bigotry, racism and fascism?
Oh, that's right. She's a Putin Russian.
Eh. It's just the one travel vlog that got some traction from being political because she was in the right place at the right time and she is young and attractive. If you'll notice most of her viewers seem to be American. Americans love hearing about how scary and evil Russia and China are all the time. If you watch other travel vlogs you'll probably notice most tend to strictly avoid partisanship. Natasha here makes no such effort. Not condemning or condoning it but I think it's a little bit of a reach to say that she's speaking for a generation. She does an incredible job and I always loved the videos exploring the small towns in eastern parts of Russia. She's not even particularly well educated about a lot of the stuff she brings up.
As a Swedish person. Who also happens to be gay. I want to thank you for showing the truth. Spasiba
i have been watching your channel since you were making videos of the neighborhood where you grew up. it seems to me that the more miles you put between Russia and yourself the more freely you speak. i enjoy it and luv your sarcasm.
🌈 I'm straight, but I love and support all my lgbtq friends and family. I started watching your channel before I knew you were gay, and that aspect of your life hasn't changed my opinion of you or your work. You are brave not only in your journey, but also in showing us the world through your eyes. May your success continue, and may you find peace and home along the way.
We ran into a PRIDE event in Hamburg when we took our young son to a model train thing and it was joyous and fun! It really made our day trip to the city, great memories, high energy and terrific MUSIC, loved dancing in the streets for the whole family! Then we took the train back to Berlin that evening, exhausted. ❤🌈We are all people!
It makes me happy to see you honoring my favorite Russian traditional value: sarcasm.
Your chlid see gay nude people is ok ?
I like your humor on the subject, even though it feels a little bitter. But I can understand why that is. I like that you had the opportunity to see for yourself how things are handled in other countries. As you rightly point out, there is homophobia there too and the events you attended may have given a somewhat rosy picture. The crucial difference is that as a lesbian you are not openly discriminated against by the state. Your sexuality is your private matter and is nobody else's business if you don't want it to be. I'm waiting with curiosity for your upcoming videos from various European countries.
If it is a private matter then why do you need a Pride parade where you openly display sexuality and force sexuality onto others?
Im from belgium and i would totally agree with that assessment.
It is our business
True. My sexuality, your sexuality and his or her sexuality isn't anyone's business.
@@flawyerlawyertv7454 this used to be the conservative way. If anyone asked my grandpa about his personal affairs, he would say “none of your business”. Sadly now most conservatives want to be all in your business - your bedroom, your library, with your doctor.
Natasha, everyone deserves dignity and respect no matter who you chose to love. Stay as strong and as beautiful as you are
I don't think it's a matter of choice. If you fall in love with the same sex ,then that's your nature. After all their are animal gay couples as well.
Dude go back to Russia and defend your people
"no matter who you chose to love."
Even peadophiles attracted to minors?
What a poor choice of words
Sure, but why is it getting shoved down everyone’s throats. What you do with your life is up to you but why do they get special treatment…..parades and holidays, these people are not war heroes. It is plain to see that the agenda is getting pushed by a certain “group.”
1:27 if I remember correctly it's specifically to remember the queer victims of the holocaust
Here in Norway I know a bunch of straight people who march in Pride to show their support.
Here in Holland all the attention seeking politicians, cops, tv stars and other idiots love to use that for their image and it is sickening.
@@forestdweller5581 Virtue signaling
I was friends with several gays and lesbians that also asked me to support them in a gay parade. I only didn't go because I don't like large crowds - but there's nothing wrong with being straight and supporting your friends.
The values of being yourself, accepting and loving who you are is desperately needed everywhere 🌈- also with other marginalized groups like disabled...
I was going to school in 2004 and a friend came out then.
It was still a struggle then and I accompanied him sometimes to clubs where all were welcome. Ironically I felt really safe there, knowing I'd get no drunk guys trying to start something.
Dancing freely 💃 was so liberating - I think everyone can try it. Though I was a bit hesitant to invite my then boyfriend to accompany me too.
I felt almost privileged to be welcomed still, introduced to other friends - getting a peak into their lives.
I especially loved the drag queens - I couldn't sit trough doing so much makeup, but the results looked stunning. A living art piece. 😍
I am straight man 85 yes. I say love whomever you want. A former PM & father of current one Trudeau said 'we have no business in the bedrooms of Canadians.' Be free!
Bedrooms, not market squares.
@@PeterRince are you saying you have business in who loves who on a market square?
@@erik.... Am I?
@@PeterRince It sounded just like it.
@@PeterRince You don't have to go there if you're offended m8. Love is love. I don't get the arrogance in denying people a good party.
Hi Natasha! You're such a good traveler essayist - i'll comment a while later because your video came up (again!) while i'm making dinner. Saw a drag comedy act long ago (in the 1980's) by accident, out with my gf. By the time we left we were both still laughing, tell you later, you look & sound great as always! 👍 and 😘.
Your sarcasm is the best. I personally have nothing with the gay pride or any specific gay culture. Many gay people don't. Still, live and let live.
You sure you won't become gay by attending a Pride event? (only kidding)
yep, thats the problem... now they are activist and trying to convert, more like religions...
Oh, ok... that was sarcasm.
@@rm9sbg93zxjzg That's exactly the problem with the entire woke culture... as soon as minorities try to impose their viewpoints as political movement others get mad.
In general, it's not a good idea to impose something that people don't want, no matter if minority or not, but apart from that nobody cares if someone's gay or not in modern Europe.
Ikr😂
I enjoy the Russian sense of irony and sarcasm. I recently noticed Kitten Yulia's YTube commentary about Russian life. She has a similar cadence and sensibility to Natasha. Very brave and insightful with a somewhat similar verbal rhythm.
I'm gonna say she's trans
For me, LBGTQ+ is a non topic. Really. I am straight, but I really don't care what anybody's sexual preferences are. I care about what kind of humans they are and what they contribute to the world. Straight or LGBTQ+, I don't care.
Same for me, as it should be simply free
Same
The only thing I would say extra is that nobody wants to see demonstrations of sexual activity at the pride parades. Holding hands, hugging , kisses are fine. bumping and grinding and nakedness is not cool. Straight people are not running around naked and neither should the LGBTQAI plus. Love who you want . Be respectful. Recall what happened on the White House lawn , breasts were exposed by a transwoman . Not good. That does not help the cause.
Same. I can understand the need for such parades back in the 80s, 90s, but today it's a complete non-issue.
Likewise. It's a non-topic. As long there are good people and they're happy being who they are then what do their sexual preferences have to do with me. I'm cool if they want to celebrate it. I'm cool if they want to be private about it. As with anybody else celebrating their femininity, their masculinity, their favourite football club or simply quietly going about their daily business.
You go, girl! Thanks for your authentic (and comedic!) reporting on your trip. Btw, you have very graceful and expressive hand movements.
Her whole attitude is graceful and she exudes peace.
In the country where I was born (Bulgaria) public opinion is still a bit polarised. Sadly every year during the LGBT parade a pro-russian party would organise a protest..."in suport of the traditional christian values". I guess you are familiar with the rhetorics. But anyways - gay people are free to declare themselves as such and they would be largely understood and supported by the majority of the citizens.
The country where I live (Kosovo) on the other hand is really extraordinary. It has muslim prevailing population and is maybe the only muslim country in the world with a female president. She (the president) together with the Prime minister by tradition attend the annual LGBT parade. Just to show support and engagement. This country keeps amazing me.
Btw I like your sarcasm too :)
@@petkopetkov8888 thanks for sharing
Are you referring to based Vazrazhdane?
@@Edde1018 Yes...Currently .
Those pro-Russia parties would change over the years. Before it was NFSB (National front for salvation of Bulgaria), before them - ATAKA (Attack). What never changes is that at any given time there is at least one political party that is allegedly financed by Russia which takes the vote of the far right nationalists and those that feel nostalgic for the past... and actively tries to disturb the political landscape - both in the country and in the EU institutions. Like AfG in Germany, Fides in Hungary or FNA in France. Vazrazhdane might very well be the worst we had in Bulgaria yet. Btw in Bulgarian "Vazrazhdane" (Възраждане) means resurrection. Hopefully they will lose steam soon and its gonna be fine... til the next political project financed by Putin.
80% Russians don’t want LGBT crap in there country
There have been a few instances of Muslim countries with female Prime Ministers, although the two examples that come readily to mind are not particularly inspiring or encouraging.
Great video. Hope you enjoyed Europe. Regards from Germany
I'm a 74 year old gay man; my husband and I have been together 28 years, married 11 years. The attitudes in Russia are just as primitive as they were in the U.S.A. when I was young. But such 'traditional' values are inhumane and deny the truth of human sexuality and gender. That so-called traditional culture that rejects gay people is based on the old Catholic 'Natural Law', which is neither natural nor 'law'. I feel so deeply sorry for LGBT in Russia who still have to suffer the 'closet' and all that means. I really hope the situation there improves.
I also raised two children who are now in their late 40s and I taught high school for 35 years. When it was finally OK, I was an 'out gay teacher', and I never had a problem with administrators, students or parents. I was perfectly safe and respected as a gay teacher, and my husband was included in school social events, just like other spouses.. Of course it isn't 'degenerate' to be gay. What a stupid idea to call it that. LGBT have always existed and always will.
Кстати, я также говорю по-русски и по-немецки. Когда-то я был русским лингвистом в армии. Я многое разучил по-русски, но все еще могу немного говорить и писать.
What a lovely video, Natasha! It's always fantastic to discover new things abroad, but Amsterdam during Pride especially! Finding something that let's you express and explore your own identity like that must have been amazing. So happy that you got to experience that!
Thank You & have a great time!
The text on the Homomonument says 'Naar vriendschap zulk een mateloos verlangen.' (For friendship, such an infinite deep longing.) is taken from a poem by the Dutch writer and poet called Jacob Israel de Haan. A Gay Jewish teacher from a poor background with the admirable courage to write about and be openly gay in the Netherlands during the beginning of the 20th century.
When I arrived in Amsterdam as someone from the community, the line always touched me very deeply. Even writing about it now cracks me up a little. To reflect to your previous post, that feeling of friendship knowing how to define it, turning out to be love, not for someone of the same sex, was how I gradually discovered my true self as well.
The full poem reads:
TO A YOUNG FISHERMAN
Fairer still than a rose, your cheeks aglowing,
Your feet more graceful than a tulip’s stem
And in your eyes there sparkled like a gem,
For friendship, such an infinite deep longing.
Behind us was the endlessness of the sea,
Above us greyly gazed the endless light,
We two stood on the strand, so solit’ry,
With just the sea’s smell. No-one was in sight.
Last day together, townwards I remove.
Contentedly he fishes, while I brood
And find no peace in fields nor city streets.
I am exhausted, so many loves I’ve had.
Forgive me much, ask not what I withstood
And pray your beauty ne’er my will defeats.
I love your sarcastic sense of humor. It makes me laugh out loud. Great video.
Thanks
I'm a bisexual and non binary person from Romania so, basically, homophobic eastern Europe. It's depressing! Whenever I go to some western country(which is a couple of times or more every year so it's not new but always impactful either way) it is the only time I feel like I can just be and fewer people would judge me. No matter how many times I go, it's always emotional for me to see same sex couples and gender non conforming people out and about acting freely as who they are. In Romania I see maybe 2-3 same sex couples a year being obvious on the street, I see a lot more in a day abroad. Last couple of years I happened to go to London during pride month and seeing the rainbow flag on official buildings, university buildings, etc again made me emotional every single time. The theatres and other cultural venues almost all do all sorts of LGBT awareness and celebration stuff, it's amazing. Now, considering there's a long way to go even in those countries, it really puts into perspective how bad people like us have it in this region. This place has made it so I never felt like I belong and always apprehensive to talk about who I am, not even out of fear but because I feel people being either supportive but totally ignorant or actually having homophobic views. While being gay isn't illegal and the state doesn't persecute LGBT people in Romania, that's basically all the rights we have, it's legal to exist. There's no marriage, no civil partnership, trans people have no legal pathway to changing their documents to reflect their gender and most people are either ignorant or downright homophobic. The state does nothing to help the 2-3 non profit organizations trying to help change things for queer people and during Pride month there's basically only the parade and some small scale events these NGOs organize.
There is a Czech well known gay youtuber and from his experiences, he was more targeted in so-called west than here. People spitted at him and his boyfriend in Sweden, they were almost attacked in Paris....but no problems at all here in Czechia.
Exactly, the rainbow flag gives the wrong impression sometimes. Homophobia in Europe is still rampant.
@@Pidalin Czechia and Slovenia aren't good examples, you can't compare them to Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, the rest of the Balkans and Eastern Europe, u gotta be for real. I've been in almost all of Europe, I even temporarily studied in Germany, there is no comparison and homophobia doesn't start or end with cases of verbal or physical harassment, there's a lot more than that and it's the day to day reality of living in a society and culture that treats you with ignorance and as invisible at best or an abomination at worst, no equal rights, no support, the state completely unconcerned with combating bigotry, 80% of people are conditioned to have negative biases about LGBT people, ignorance is prevalent, here in my country there's not even any queer public figures and maybe only one or two who openly support our rights, all the significant parties are low or high key homophobic and sexist, you get the idea. The west has plenty of homophobia and toxic gender norms left but significantly less, there is so much more freedom and diversity, so much more education on these issues encouraged and promoted at state level, so much more visibility(well, maybe apart from Italy). For example, in Bucharest and most of Romania you can walk and feel completely safe alone in the middle of the night just like in the middle of the day(not saying there's no petty theft and assaults, ofc there is some crime like that but statistically super low and concentrated in small areas), it's all in all safer than most of the western capitals. Does that mean Romania is better overall to live in unless you're a white heterosexual cis man earning a good salary? No. Ah, if you're a heterosexual white male with money, even more so if you're an expat, Romania is great. If you're a woman, a gender non conforming/trans person, gay or bisexual and progressive....you are safe on the street but your chances or experiencing any type of abuse and conflict in your family and with your spouse are very great, mental health...good luck with that cause no one cares, etc. I'd pick London or even Paris(and I really don't like Paris) over Romania still
@@entity22 I remember when that Czech gaytuber (I've just created a new word) had his comming out and he was afraid of reactions and everyone was like: "Ok, you are gay and?" Like people here just don't care or they make some stupid jokes, but they are not really dangerous, mostly.
But I know examples of families where their kid announced that she is a lesbian and her family kicked her out of house because of that, but these are mostly some rednecks from villages. There are even some politicians and tv moderators that are gay, pople were making jokes about or were saying bad things back in the day, but after years, nobody cares about it anymore, people got used to it that these people exist.
We actually have Romanian workers in our company, so I slightly know them, but I think they don't really represent your country, because if they were usefull, they wouldn't be looking for job in other post communist country. 😀
Aren't the younger generations in Romania more open to differences in general?
This, to me, is the best vlog from you so far in your highly productive career. I am not gay myself, but have spent much of my younger years among gay people in mostly Malmoe. I enjoyed their company because of all the love I sensed from them. Not love like everybody fucking everybody all the time. That is the demeaning picture the homophobics use. I mean love as in having a welcoming attitude towards the world and being accepting to other peoples differencies. Of course, not all gay people are like that. But the ones I have taken to my heart has been like that.
Seeing this video reminded me that the lgbt liberties we enjoy here in Sweden are nothing to take for granted. They are precious and need to be safequarded. I am really happy for you Natasha. I follow you on yt and even have conversations about your life journey with my partner. I think you are doing an incredible job showing the world the ”other” russian perspective. I wish uou all the best and, should you ever travel the northern regions of Sweden and need assistance of any sort - contact me. Me and my family will be there.
I so agree. I am not gay either, but I lived through the hippy era of the sixties which was, for me at least, a period of tolerance, kindness and aspiration to a better world. Natasha is such a bright candle in a sometimes quite dark world.
60s here..also@@nick.caffrey
As a heterosexual, I have never behaved discriminative towards homosexuals, so much so that I ended up going out with an entire international group of them for several months. They all offered themselves to me, they all tried to convince me that I was gay too. At one point, one of them started stalking me, phoned me constantly, tried to put me up against my parents and my friends, left me the keys to his apartment and endangered my job. I broke of all contact with everyone and a while later the stalker committed suicide. Today, I’m incredibly happy that I didn’t fell victim to rape during that period. Which in retrospect, could have been a possibility…
@@erikpeeters778Prolonged stalking can affect your mental health in a bad way. I am sorry that happened to you. Have you seeked out PTSD counseling?
@elevenseven-yq4vu No, I have always been true to myself and turned out to be strong enough. Sad though, I have only been approached by women in the north of England and Eastern Europe. In my own Western European country, I have only been explicitly approached by homosexual men...🤷
Great video Natasha, I like your sarcasm! I'm glad you experienced pride in the EU. Thanks for taking us along.
Hey there! I’m from Amsterdam, and honestly, I don’t care if someone is gay or not. I’m not gay myself, but I write thrillers that feature a gay couple (two women) living in Boston and working for an anti-terrorism unit. I’m glad you enjoyed your stay in Amsterdam and had a great time at the gay pride, comedy shows, and everything else!
I’m female, straight and have no issue with Pride. LGBTQ have been persecuted for their existence. They have every right to express their feelings and pride in their existence and community. LGBTQIA people were born who they are supposed to be 🌈 ⭐️
Many of my bf and my friends are part of that community. We want to be welcoming to everyone. 🫶🏽
Thanks!
Natasha, You are a rare, playful, and wise gem. Thank goodness. 🌸
Wisdom does not spread hate, racism, bigotry and fascism. That is far from goodness.
@@leonply Oh? Please. Natasha, as far as I can tell, is being playful, satirical, and tongue-in-cheek. Natasha is not the character that she is portraying.
@@deeliciousplum Better watch it again, looking a bit more closely about how she is saying things. Not doing any research about anything, she makes hateful and hate-filled statements, expecting her far-right viewpoints to be taken as wisdom. Hate is not wisdom. Hate is just hate.
Hello Natasha, you are learning me about things that i seldom think about. I am not gay, and i have two grown up daughters and you Would probably think that i am oh just one of those old white men who dont q. Yes i dont understand everything, But it makes me happy to see that you remind me How fortunate i am being grown up in a ” free country ”
Thank you. Keep up good work
I love your sarcasm. It's so wonderful that you got to see Amsterdam during pride month. And got to visit other countries. I hope you get to fulfill your goal of visiting every country in the world. Keep up the great work! You seem much more relaxed :)
Traditional family values in the west: two people, regardless of their gender, should be able to safely start a family with the state being there to provide some kind of support in case something goes wrong; state will intervene if you beat or otherwise abuse your kid
Traditional family values in Russia: one of two parents can be forcibly dragged out of their home and thrown as a cannon fodder in a battlefield while the state gives no sh*t about slave's family's well-being; state will turn a blind eye if you beat your kid with a stick as long as you don't tell them "LGBT propaganda" or call the "special military operation" a "war"
Thanks Natasha, I am moved by your reflection and analysis in this video, you are a special, sweet, honest woman, I hope you can live in freedom. Much love from the Netherlands 🇳🇱 ❤❤❤
As a lesbian you can apply asylum in Europe on humanitarian due. I am not saying you will have your application granted. It's not up to me. I am just saying that you can apply on humanitarian due
Yes. If you are pervert you are welcomed. But if you are an ordinary white man, who pays taxes you are the most undesirable person in Europe. That is why ultra right parties are so popular nowdays
Yes, possible, but difficult-- having a successful YT channel does open up more options, as far as types of visa one can apply for.
Not as easy as you make it out to be. You have to prove that you're being directly persecuted, Russia's "anti LGBT propaganda" laws alone don't count.
due = grounds
apply *for* asylum
An important message. I hope Natasha sees your comment in case she decides to change her mind in the future about where she wants to call home.
Как лесбиянка можешь, а вот как русская против войны нет? Вы не чувствуете тут некий перекос? Все равны, но лесбиянки равнее
Natasha! I remember at the beginning of the pandemic I had a lot of time on my hands and a growing interest in Eastern Russia, and found these neat, informative videos about Spassk and Vladivostok. I thought "here's an introspective, curious person, let's give them a follow..." Seeing you get out of Russia and get to have experiences like this is truly amazing. Thank you for sharing!
I haven't watched the entire thing, but I just wanted to say that as a queer person, I love that you shared your initial anxieties and how you managed to move past them. That fearful response you speak of is something more people go through, and I think it's super helpful that you have shown them that actually, the vibe at Pride is basically akin to a festival - very chill and surprisingly spacious (except for the Pride Parade - that's very busy!) and basically everybody is nice to each other. (Although admittedly, queer folks can have a bit of a confusing definition of nice if you are inexperienced with them).
To me, Pride is about being witnessed for who you truly are, regardless of your identities. It is about radical acceptance of ourselves a human beings, and celebrating of all the beautiful ways in which we can differ. As I said I haven't seen the entire video, but for the parts that I saw: I love your ability to awe and soak up all those experiences, consider yourself invited to next year :)
The situation in the Netherlands is different to the rest of Western Europe as the Dutch are much more liberal as for example the Germans. Berlin is not very typical as it was always its own cosmic space since the 1920s.. Also relationship towards Russia might be more relaxed in NL than further East, where it depends. In general queer events are accepted in Europe now, but in the Netherlands it is a very open and obvious scene occuring even in kids TV and almost nobody cares while elsewhere it is more limited to specific events/communities/spaces and certainly there is a big difference between cities and countryside. However, it always depends on individuals, too.
I think the Nordics are similarly quite on board. Not 100% sure about Finland.
My impression is that German society on the whole used to be more open about 15 to 20 years ago than it is nowadays. Ever since the rise of the AfD (during the last 10 years) it has become a total shitshow, and each year is getting worse when it comes to anti-queer hatred. By "traditional values" these anti-LGBTQ activist mostly mean being sexist and abusive, so their "family values" are basically null and void, many of them regard children as property or political soldiers to be programmed taking sides in their culture war. Their activism has grown in intensity as well as in insanity, with paranoid conspiracy nutcases, fascists, Trumpists, islamistic as well as both catholic and evangelical christian fundamentalists gaining traction in the scene, organizing across the board and also growing in sheer numbers, but also all kinds of other politically disgruntled groups looking for a frustration-venting outlet or plainly scapegoats jumping on that bandwagon to garner attention by screaming loudly from within an already well-established mob or merely to vent their anger against the even more marginalized instead of the powerful. It's as appalling as it is looking bleak.
It's my impression that German society 15-20 years ago used to be more open than it is nowadays towards queer people. Ever since the rise of the AfD (during the last 10 years) it has become a total shit-show. The "traditional values" of these anti-LGBTQ activists mostly consist of being sexist and abusive, and therefore their "family values" are null and void, most of them view children as property or soldiers to be programmed for their culture war. Their activism has become more intense as well as more insane with fascists, Trumpists, paranoid conspiracy nutcases, islamistic as well as both catholic and evangelical christian fundamentalists gaining traction and organizing across the board, their influence growing as well as their numbers. They are being joined by all kinds of politically disgruntled cowardly folks who don't mind jumping on a bandwagon as long as it gives them a platform to attract attention by yelling offensive shit and venting their frustration against people already marginalized more than themselves instead of at the powerful. By now, even former leftists are quick to join that mob. It is truly appalling, and it is looking bleak.
@@elevenseven-yq4vu Yes and no, all those groups are much louder today than 20 years ago, but it does not mean they did not exist then. People were more optimistic in the past and therefore also a bit more relaxed and open minded and speaking out revisionistic or fascist views was seen uncool. On the other hand Germany (and other Central European Countries) have undergone strong modernization in law and society since then. So also the discriminated groups became much louder, better known and they have more rights. Today discussion is about how trans persons should participate in sports and if same sex married couples should adopt kids. Then many people did not know that trans persons exist and same sex marriage was inexistant. That many people might be more scared is however understandable. Aggression and violence is more obvious now and the perspective is not that clear as progressive parties losing power.
Love this one! So happy for you to see that large amounts of people in europe accept that being gay is pretty much normal these days! On your travels please visit the UK we have a great gay scene, obviously we still have the old school generation but you can safely ignore that part, you'll have a wonderful experience! Please keep the videos coming!
Can she visit the UK on her visa to the Netherlands being it's outside of European union? Would she need a separate visa for the UK?
@@marcusdambergerif she received a Schengen visa, she can visit any country in the Schengen area :)
@@marcusdamberger From what I've researched, if Natasha had applied for a UK visa first then Schengen it apparently would have been easier, but that's by the by.... but yes, it's still possible to apply for a UK visa on the back of a Schengen. Obviously time factors into this, so not sure she has the time to go through the loops
Fascinating .... I live in Prague, and we have the Pride parade here every year during the summer..... I have never attended/cared to go to see (on the same level i am not interested in football matches for example). And now somebody talking excitedly about "its possible to have a Pride parade in city XY and everything is OK, some people attend, some people have other business to do"
.... It probably tells more about situation in Russia than 20-page article by a political scientist:)
Thanks God for what we have here!!!
When I worked in a big American city, my boss used to visit his elderly mother in rural Iowa. One day he noticed that the farmhouse next to his mother’s place was flying 2 very large Pride flags. He asked his mother if there were new neighbours, and his mother told him that the elderly religious couple next door had gone to San Francisco and were amazed at all the “Christian rainbow flags” there (the Bible says that God gives rainbows, like he did after the flood, to remind people of His presence). The sweet old couple thought that San Francisco was full of Christians! 😂
😂😂
Lol
Thats sad
@@marvin2678 it's a joke.
@@wingdingdmetrius8025 no, it is the absolute truth.
Love to see you visiting my city! I've actually been following you for a long time and have seen your channel grow. Especially seeing you go through the consequences of the ongoing war right now.. I think you're doing an amazing job going on with TH-cam like this. Keep up with it please. Much love from Amsterdam!
Nice video. I like that you are exploring and learning. You might inspire another person who had the same doubts you had. One step at a time. Keep surprising yourself. A fan and follower from Canada 🇨🇦
Natasha, so happy your video title was ironic,I "know" you a little,fortunately,and you hit Bull's eye of course.. Amsterdam is a place of liberty that must have blown your head,notely the Association for deaf queer persons...... good, you need now to digest all that, all EU you saw and still see now I think, lots of stories to tell to your Tbilisi friends, lots of thoughts alone in your room, also..It's so good you feel safe here,I liked it...A thought for Pigeon..paka
Of all the countries to start with, The Netherlands! Beautiful place, beautiful people.
Article 8 of the Constitution of the Netherlands: Freedom of Assembly. Without that, you cannot truly have a nation. You have wolves and sheep.
They seem to be taking this right away in the UK.
I’m a straight man. I am happy for you,and wish you freedom and peace! Hi from Central Europe.
I loved this video especially your dry sense of humour. keep up the great job Natasha with love from Brisbane Australia.
It warms my heart that you were able to experience some of the best parts of queer community 🏳🌈
There are no best parts of the rainbow mafia.
@@climber5150 rainbow mafia!?
@@climber5150enhance???
@@climber5150 😂
@@brieeloise2618Western derangement syndrome
Considering what you've shared with us of your life story, it is so interesting to hear your perspective on everything, especially since i do believe that you are being honest and truthful. Wishing you only the best. Thanks for sharing.
Freedom and equal rights for people of all genders and sexualities everywhere.
Yes but don’t make it an ideology like it has become today
@@CaneandunableWhy not? It’s for them to decide how they wish to live and creating a political common community is the only way to gain rights and freedoms.
@@andrew30m Because Pride is being used by the far left to bring in State control. Always look at who organises, donates money and who is shouting the loudest,
The best event would be no pride. Think about it……
@Caneandunable what ideology?
@@georgejuravlel1352 Are you mentally ok?
I'm sorry that you had to witness this debauchery and want to apologize in the name of all of Europe. But I don't get how you can grow up in a country which has such sane values and still fall for this degenerate brainwashing. I think Russia did the right thing by banning this propaganda, and we need laws like this in all of Europe. Protect the family, protect our children, protect our society, protect the beautiful design God gave us humans.
Thank you for doing this video. I always enjoy your insights and narration. I admire your English a great deal and am impressed at how eloquently you speak. Thanks, again, for this video. Good luck in all your travels!
0:14 love locals scream at tourist on a bike lane
The bike-lane-walkers... ;.. a highly marginalized minority.... often addressed with very derogatory words accompanied with at least two deadly diseases.
Red road means dead; from all the blood of the bike lane walkers. 😅 Amsterdam might be a bit extreme in the rudeness, but I somehow understand the locals, it is not Disneyland.
It is an important lesson one learns quickly in NL. Being LGBTQ is no issue but stepping in front of a bike will not go over well. Watch for bike lanes and shoulder check when changing direction while walking in a small street, as the bikes can be quiet and fast.
@@duaneeitzen1025 | So much for dutch tolerance....
@@ua420That is progress. Taking lghbqt for granted. Not standing in the bicycle lane is the issue👍
Natasha: got my Schengen visa, going to Amsterdam!
Amsterdam: let's make it a big party!
You should see what happend when putin visited. 😂
@@verskarton Well, he visited Amsterdam about 10 years ago and he was 'welcomed' with rainbow flags as protests against the anti gay propaganda laws in Russia at the time
@@verskarton, I can't wait for his next visit to The Hague.
Natasha! Wonderful! And thank you! Looking forward to more adventures.
I'm a proud LGBTQ Ally, and I love this video 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Thank you for posting.
To anybody getting pressed after the first minute, calm down, it's sarcasm. Natasha is a lesbian and it is not safe for her to be properly out in Russia so she is happy to be in a place where she can finally celebrate pride without fear.
no one ever hunted any gay people. wake the fuck up please.
You are my spirit child - so much snark - you keep going girl.
Absolute top comment. Really good.
it's a wonderful feeling when you can feel proud and express pride in a community that welcomes and supports people from ALL walks of life !!!!
ALL walks? Does that include those that disagree with LGTBQ ?
@@johnrgrillot9901 Of course they are welcome, if they themselves are welcoming and supportive.
Respectful disagreement is not a problem in a community that welcomes and supports people from ALL walks of life.
Yeah and these over the top rainbow events are totally not the place for that. Natasha would be safer visiting Amsterdam on any other day. She would be safe and welcomed by real Amsterdammers. Not by these attention seeking morons who come there from elsewhere.
We are sick and tired of these prides and campaigns in our dutch cities because we have always cherished equality and this idiocy should stop. They are literally causing MORE hatred towards lgbt people whom we have always accepted. And the rainbow flag even does not stand for pride events. It stands for DIVERSITY. That includes straight people, black, white, yellow, brown and so on.
I'm in the UK, we've just had pride and my city and the people fully support it. We also have a gay quarter in the city, bars and comedy clubs open all year. It's a small area but amongst the safest in the city, and fun - so it's popular with straight people too. My daughter goes to pride, despite being straight, and it's very inclusive and welcoming - just like Amsterdam.
Like you, I'm uncomfortable at times with large and unfamiliar social events and very self conscious - I'm glad you had a good time, and I hope eventually that you feel comfortable being all that you want to be. You're a beautiful person, and those that meet and know you are lucky. As always, a great video, it was interesting, I've never seen the Amsterdam pride, thanks.
Is the name of your city Sodoma?! This is an absurd! I'm glad I'm far away from this city, because otherwise I would react against this non-sense!
@@Corvusdotensis It's not my thing, but live and let live. I'm guessing you walk around with eyes closed. Turkey has gay bars. Moscow and St Petersburg have gay bars. Mongolia has a gay bar. There are hidden ones in Pakistan. Maybe you never leave the house - probably best if you're in Antarctica. React away, no one gives a stuff.
@@Corvusdotensisat leasing learn geography ...
@@Corvusdotensis I'm sure the people there are even more glad you're nowhere near. You make the world a worse place.
The rainbow colors stand for freedom, self-determination, equality, and also peace. For me as a straight girl the most beautiful colors in the world.
I really appreciated seeing your reaction to how the LGBTQ+ community in Europe celebrates the love, light, and life of the community! I am in the USA, and although we are not as "progressive" as Western Europe when it comes to the normalization of things...we are making BIG strides forward. And that is why, for many of us, the Presidential Election in the USA this year is so VERY important. We don't want to go backwards!!! Thanks again!
Your finally opening your eyes as to the wests attitude to Gays......not everyone accepts it BUT attitudes are changing and its about time...I reside in Canada and Gay events/parades are held all around the country. You are beginning to have more confidence in yourself and and realizeing you are not alone. I really hope that you are able to join with like minded people and gain some new friends. Best of Luck to you in your new adventures.From an old 82 year old straight male........
A 72 year old straight Irish male agrees with you!
Yeah it is changing towards more discrimination against homosexuality lol
Natasha as you are in the Dutchies.
Check if you can apply for student visa if interested. Good for 3 till 5 years. Opportunity for a degree and will allow to travel Europe and even switching between universities in other countries 😊 👋🇧🇪🇰🇷
Not possible
No visas for ruZZians.
Back in 1999, I remember the many LGBT clubs in St Petersburg, also a huge one in Moscow that had hundreds of LGBT enjoying themselves. The Russian term at the time was 'blue', and everyone was so friendly. Sad to think, but I wonder what has happened to all those lovely Russian individuals some 25 years later?
That never happened 80% of Russians hate LGBT and don’t want that in there country
The 90s seem to have been a time of great optimism but also gross financial mismanagement in Russia. It’s economic situation improved since but it has regressed asa society into a police state and dictatorship. Unfortunately, in Russian history, that has been the norm. From serfdom under the Tsar to a totalitarian “communist” state to a dictatorship. They didn’t know what to do with democracy for the brief window they had it.
80% Russian are traditional and don’t want that LGBT in there country eww 🌈
@@Dreynono LGBT allowed in Russia keep Russian children safe from LGBT
Thank you for the video. It was painfully obvious how these decaying values hurt you. You really excelled at translating those irretrievable regrets throughout the entire thing. I must say, it was truly worth watching! Stay safe and take care. Seriously.
In 1989 Denmark was the first country to allow same-sex couples to register in legal unions. The oldest gay bar is from 1917 and is in Copenhagen 🇩🇰
Western Europe and US could only become communist thru sleight of hand maneuvers, various subversive agendas promoted. I am aggrieved to now understand that the hippy movement, heavily publicized by the media, was part of that trickery and certainly, excessive feminism and gender pettiness go along with all of that. Eastern Europe got communism by force but the more effective way is to make a capitalist country communist while still claiming its capitalist and that is what they have done in the west
Блин я из маленького городка, мечтаю пока сходить в гей-бар в Питере или Москве, а прайд вообще конечно мечта. Я была в Италии в 18 году, даже просто видеть рекламу прайда в метро было круто. Ты будто наполняешься внутренний радостью
Ну в Питере и в Москве так-то позакрывали все тематические клубы в связи с новыми гомофобными законами.
Wishing you a more serene future. Greetings from the Boot
“Europe is a everyday gay parade” that got me a good laugh. Love your sense of humor. Looking forward to see the rest of your trip.
I don't think I've ever commented on any of your videos until now. I just wanted to say how very proud I am of you for this video. It helps to ensure me that freedom and individual liberties will ultimately prevail in this hate-filled world regardless of the strides recently being made by fascist authoritarians in several major countries, including the US. Btw, this sentiment is from a straight person.
OMG I thought you were being serious for a moment at the start haha. Super interesting to hear your perspectives, thanks for sharing.
Im happy for you that you are able to travel to all these "evil" countrys in "degenerate" europe and that you can feel safe here. 💜 Thank you for sharing your experiences and your story.
I hope that better sooner than later the Lgbtqia+ cummunities and everybody else back at home in Russia will be free and can feel safe. 🙏
Glad you get to be yourself in EU... I just wish my idiot country was still in Europe. Great video.
The UK will always be in Europe 😉
@@deanosaur808 😭
@@deanosaur808 We moved to the Scotland from NL in '51 when I was 7 years old. I was startled by quite a few things and people talking as if Europe was somewhere else was one of them. Among the other startling things were non-decimal currency and weights and measures, English spelling and corporal punishment in schools.
Sorry Natashia, I should be commenting on your video. My visits to NL have a different character from yours. I look about me and think, if my parents hadn't moved me to Scotland I'd be one of these people! Europe is delightfully complex🙂
A short video, but you managed to say a lot. Very acute observations. Special thanks for the Vkusvill story.
I know it is ridicolous, but I was actually feeling proud when I saw you coming to Sweden (my country)! I admire your bravery, because you are so obviously very afraid of doing these travels and putting yourself in front of people, but you do it anyway and THAT is bravery! I hope to be like that one day. :)
And yes, western corporations are blatantly exploiting Pride and HBTQ-events for their own selfish profits, BUT that at least proves that western societies are positive towards such things!
I hope you have somehow managed to get in contact with Swedens most famous HBTQ activist at the moment, Linnea Claeson. That would be awesome, I imagine!
I personally don't feel exploited by corporations advertising support for us, so much better than the alternative. It just seems like such a negative attitude to take. Better to apply that negative attitude towards the corporations that are homophobic. They deserve it.
@@RonRobertson-lafrance It's great that you don't feel expointed, just as long as you realize that their support for you is NOT driven by ideological reasons but by financial. The "Anti-Woke" alt-Righters are trying to sell the idea that they are, but they're not. Just look at the Russian corporation changing their tune as soon as they realized their sales would be effected negatively. Corpoarations are exploitative at heart, that is not being negative, it is simply being honest about economics.
No I am not planing to pack my bags to go to Russia. Traditional family values in my definition are unconditional love. Everyone should be able to live freely. I have the "traditional values" that these values are exagarated. In the Netherlands, women and men are equal. They can take parental leave to take care about their babies. They are supported by the government with financial incentives. In the same hand, the government also granted the right to same sex marriage and selfdetermination. It is important to support everyone equally. We had laws in Europe in the 1950s, where people could suspect a person of being gay. Then the police came to the house and arrested the person and jailed them. This was the law StGB 175 in Germany. It took over 100 years to overcome this law in 1994.
I marched with a pride parade in Montreal and another one in Germany. I have friends in the community and I want to see them thrive, I also fall into the spectrum. So many LGBTs are disowned out by their parents and families at very dire circumstances. I like to see you travel and exploring Europe and I hope to see more videos from your experiences. You are more than welcome to Europe and Germany!
They legalized wife beating in 2017:
"In February 2017, with the support of the Russian Orthodox Church, Russia decriminalized domestic violence in cases where it does not cause "substantial bodily harm" (such as broken bones or a concussion) and does not happen more than once a year."
You're such a well grounded and intelligent person. The world needs more people like you. And I must say your level of English is simply outstanding.
I like your tongue in cheek comments with references back to the repression in Russia.
Glad you are getting to experience the West. I also like seeing the little whimsical smile you have these days. Hopefully we'll get to see you laugh someday. Be well. Be safe.
West is ending and becoming Socialist so like while you can as it won’t be this way for much longer
I have nothing to say (neither pro or against) the whole LGBT community, it's a part of society and thus perfectly fine, normal, natural. Live and let live, no matter if you define or express yourself as 0, 1, or something between. Around 70% of people (Germany/Berlin) feel that way. Thanks for sharing the trip report, enjoy Europe to the fullest, stay happy!
Spasibo 🎉
Live and let live. We are all people. Good video, I'm glad i watched the whole thing
The deaf people were communicating via ASL/BSL with some variation due to individual country's linguistic properties. Looks like you had fun!
If they were Dutch, they would have used Dutch Sign Language, not ASL (American Sign Language) or BSL (British Sign Language). Sign languages are distinct from each other, not just variants.
@@bookllama8158 Being deaf myself, I have traveled to Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Germany and I have found that the community does indeed use ASL/BSL as a "base" in order to make it not overly complicated for community members all over the world to understand basic signs. The variations correlate to that countries spoken language, ex. some spoken languages have different words that infer noun genders. I did not mean offense by using the acronyms BSL/ASL, or the use of the word "variant". I recognize that every country is distinct from each other.