A lesbian couple and their family appeared in an advertisement for a Russian supermarket chain, which led to a nationwide scandal. They fled the country after facing online abuse and death threats.
Yuma’s mother, daughters Mira and Alina, and Alina’s girlfriend Kesusha say they were forced to leave Russia Spain Then they said in an advertisement that they liked VkusVill’s rice balls and hummus.
“Unfortunately, due to the complex situation of VkusVill, we have never had a job and no home,” wrote Milla on Instagram, posting a photo on her balcony in Spain.
“Now my family and I desperately need to settle down Barcelona. This is a difficult time for us and we need friends,” she continued. “Maybe your friends’ friends or their friends can help us start our new life in Barcelona. “
The ad was strongly opposed by conservatives in Russia, and Russia passed a law banning “gay propaganda” in 2013. VkusVill quickly removed the ad and replaced it with an ad featuring heterosexual families. It issued a public apology and stated that the original advertisement “has hurt the feelings of a large number of our customers and employees.”
After the advertisement was removed, the family said they became the target of a hate campaign, which eventually caused four women to flee to Spain to ensure their safety.
In a YouTube interview recorded before they left, family members described abuse against them, such as BBC reportThey talked to YouTuber Karen Shainyan, who discussed LGBT issues on his channel.
Yuma said: “I was just repelled by comments about my granddaughter. Some people wrote that they wanted to rape her, kill her, and stabbing a child in the photo who was just sitting and smiling. I worry about my granddaughter the most.”
After the original advertisement was released, Yuma thanked VkusVill on her Instagram page and wrote: “Perhaps the most important thing for our family is caring and accepting.”
But a few days later, the brand claimed that the ad was “a mistake, and it was an unprofessional performance by some employees.”
In an Instagram post from Barcelona, Yuma wrote: “We are safe and we are resting. We don’t have to hide our happiness as a family. Thank you very much to those who support us and to those who took the risk to speak up for our support. People, and those who personally support us. Thanks to you, we did not give in. It was a difficult experience for all of us, and we are all in a difficult state of mind. But the sea, sunshine, and kindness are healing us .”
