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Laura Valentina Cortes Sierra

Freelance Journalist

Laura Valentina Cortes Sierra is a freelance journalist for Context based in Spain.

September 08, 2025

LGBTQ+ Russians flee Putin's crackdown to build new lives in SpainSocioeconomic Inclusion
Around 100 Russians march with rainbow flags and white-blue-white anti-war flags in front of the Palacio de Cibeles during at Madrid Pride, Madrid, Spain, July 6, 2024. Thomson Reuters Foundation/Laura Valentina Cortés Sierra

When Diana, a bisexual Russian asylum seeker, took part in her first Madrid Pride festival last year, she was delighted to see people waving the white-blue-white flag that has become a symbol of Russian opposition to its war on Ukraine.

She was also ecstatic to be among around 100 Russians who were waving LGBTQ+ flags and chanting, "Russia without Putin". It felt surreal, said the 24-year-old, who did not want to give her last name for fear of retaliation.

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