Two days ago I was riding the Q train over the Manhattan Bridge. An older woman was speaking with a young man. His English was halting and he nodded, as she said that the USA wasn’t going to save the Crimea.
“Everyone is always looking for us to save them.”
“Like Cambodia?” We had heard enough about America’s love for regime change during the failed Iraq War.
She was anti-Obama too.
“It’s pure socialism.”
“And what medical plan do you have.”
“Medicare.”
“And that isn’t socialism?”
“No, I worked for it.”
“As what?”
“A housewife.”
I surrendered my position in face of her obdurate belief in survivalist capitalism and wishd her well, as she swished off the train at Grand Street.
The doors closed and I turned to the young man. His accent was clearly Russian. I asked him how long he had been in the USA.
“I left Russia in October. I am seeking asylum.” He was handsome with clear skin and a friendly smile.
“For?”
“My spouse and I are gay. We lived in Moscow. It became impossible there. I was fired from my job as a reporter after coming out. They don’t want anyone gay in Russia. I went to church, but not anymore. The church hates us.”
“I know the feeling.” I was an atheist and strong supporter of human rights. “Welcome to the USA.”
“It is good to be here. My spouse and I can be us.”
I didn’t mention that freedom doesn’t exist everywhere in the Land of the Freaked, but New York City was a sanctuary for all.
“Putin has accused gays of being a threat to Russia.” I had been to Russia in 2009. “The birth rate dropped and the life expectancy of men was 49 years. No one wants to blame vodka, because the state gets taxes from the sale of alcohol, so Putin and the Church picks gays.”
“It was not safe there.” The young man introduced himself as Oleg Dussaev. “Huffington Post published an article about me and my spouse. We hope to stay here.”
“I hope so too.”
He spoke about how friendly Americans were.
He was happy.
We shook hands at 59th Street.
Oleg was returning home after a English lesson.
I gave him my card.
“If you need any help, give me a call.”
“America,” sighed Oleg.
Yes, America.
Some of us are still free.
To read the Huffington Post article, please go to the following URL
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/priyanka-gupta/the-heartbreaking-story-o_b_4570146.html
They also were featured in the New Yorker:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2014/02/gay-propaganda-oleg-dusaev-dmitriy-stepanov.html