Daria Kasatkina has bravely come out as gay and shared that she is dating Russian Olympic figure skater Natalia Zabiiako.
“Living in the closet is impossible,” the star, who is Russia’s highest-ranked female tennis player, told blogger Vitya Kravchenko.
“I believe it is important that influential people from sports, or any other sphere really, speak about it,” the 25-year-old continued. “It is important for young people who have a hard time with society and need support.”
As well as sharing that she has a girlfriend, Kasatkina spoke out against attitudes in Russia.
“So many subjects are taboo in Russia,” she explained. “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.”
“Seriously, if there is a choice, no one would choose being gay. Why make your life harder, especially in Russia? What’s the point?” she also asked.
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Passed in 2013, Russia’s ‘gay propaganda’ law bans the promotion of all “non-traditional” sexual relationships among minors.
It has been used as justification to stop Pride marches, prevent minors from watching content with LGBTQ+ themes and to detain activists.
Senior lawmakers in the country are currently attempting to extend the legislation to all adults.
During her interview, Kasatkina also condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, calling it a “complete nightmare” and stating that what she wants most in life is “for the war to end.”
She also expressed fears that she may not be able to return to Russia because of the interview.
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