After coming out as gay, Russian tennis player Daria Kasatkina criticized her nation’s stance on homosexuality and demanded an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
The 12th-ranked player in the world, Kasatkina, advanced to the French Open semifinals last month.
Although it is not against the law to be gay in Russia, homophobia is pervasive and “gay propaganda” cannot be distributed to minors.
Kasatkina, 25, declared that it was impossible to live in a closet.
“The only thing that matters is having a peaceful relationship with oneself.”
She acknowledged having a partner while on YouTube speaking with the Russian blogger Vitya Kravchenko.
“So many subjects are taboo in Russia,” she says. “Some of them more important than ours, it’s no surprise.
“This notion of someone wanting to be gay or becoming [gay] is ridiculous. I think there is nothing easier in this world than being straight.
“If there is a choice, nobody would choose being gay, why make your life harder, especially in Russia? What’s the point?”
