Dear friends,

In January, 2010 our Organization will mark one year from the moment of the state registration and almost two years since the small initiative group of like-minded people, who were “not indifferent to their present and who were ready to work for change of the future”, has gathered. I remind that the first meeting of this group took place in March, 30th, 2008 during the Week Against Homophobia.

For this time LGBT Organisation “Coming Out” has worked the long way up in its development. The leadership potential has grown, stability of the organisation has increased, we are known and respected both in LGBT-community and beyond. We succeeded in establishing the dialogue between LGBT-community and civil rights activists, human rights communities and NGOs in St. Petersburg. Our activity contributed to the increase of civil responsibility, formation of common cultural interests and consolidation of LGBT-community. Our presence was noticed by the Petersburg mass-media as well, thanks to what we could speak about interests of LGBT-COMMUNITY to a wide range of city residents. In 2009 we carried out the most popular street mass actions of LGBT-community (”RainbowFlash” and “Day of Silence”) that allowed to see that «ordinary LGBT people», not only the activists, also want and can defend their interests. During the period of our existence we have been blamed, and we have been admired, we have been condemned, and we have been set up as an example, we have been hated, and we have been loved.

I am proud to realize the fact that during all these two years I was among the people who created  “Coming Out” and spared neither forces nor time nor means working for the benefit of LGBT-community. Boldness, openness, honesty and disinterestedness - those qualities are distinctive of all activists of “Coming Out”. For me acquaintance to all people who, somehow or other, were involved in Organization activity, was a great honour.

In the beginning of January of 2010, I made decision to leave the post of director of the LGBT Organization “Coming Out” and its Board. The reasons for this decision have personal character and its making will not affect in any way my other work within the bounds of the Organization. The given decision comes into force in the beginning of February.

I leave the post of director easily, having trust in the Board which confidently supervises over Organization development. I do not have reasons to doubt that with change of the director the Organization will continue its way to achievement of the Mission. I dare to quote it: «On the assumption of principles of non-violence and openness, we work for a recognition of the dignity and the equal rights of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity».

I believe that the Organization “Coming Out” will work towards new achievements in its service to the LGBT-community in Petersburg, and also in strengthening civil society and establishment of values of Love, Peace and Tolerance.

I am certain that our Organization will still make all efforts to ensure that voice of LGBT is heard by the society, that our presence in culture of the city and our positive contribution to its development are appreciable, embodying through it our motto: Through openness to equality!

Valery Sozaev

Director «LGBT Organisation Coming Out»

On January, 15th, 2010

Translated by Victor Trofimov