Contact Aegis
Get help
Aegis provides free support to LGBTQ+ people from Russia when their sexual orientation or gender identity is the reason for persecution or difficult life circumstances.
Our core work is comprehensive safety. We assess legal, digital and physical risks and identify possible support measures for each individual situation.
Can I contact you from Russia or after leaving?
Yes. We accept requests from LGBTQ+ people from Russia, whether they are still in Russia or have already left.
In what situations do you help?
We help when sexual orientation or gender identity is the reason for persecution or difficult life circumstances. We prioritise requests involving a risk of administrative or criminal proceedings under provisions on “extremism” and “propaganda”.
When you can ask for help
- If you are facing, or may face, administrative or criminal proceedings under provisions on “propaganda” or “extremism” in an LGBTQ+ context.
- If you are at risk of detention, criminal prosecution or imprisonment because of your activism, human rights work or identity.
- If you are at risk of physical violence because of your sexual orientation or gender identity, including violence from relatives.
How may you be able to help?
Depending on your circumstances, support may include legal consultations, an assessment of digital and legal risks, temporary accommodation, essential supplies or help leaving an unsafe region.
How do I contact you, and what should I write?
Open the app through our Telegram bot. Answer the key questions in the request form and describe what is happening in as much detail as possible. This helps us assess the risks and understand what support may be possible. Provide a safe way for us to contact you.
If the app is not working or you cannot use it, email [email protected] in your own words; no set format is required.
When should I expect a reply?
We usually reply within 72 hours. Response times may vary depending on the number of requests and their urgency: we review the most urgent situations first.
A coordinator contacts you using the details you provided and asks for any further information needed.
Please note: submitting a request and receiving a reply from a coordinator do not guarantee assistance. If we cannot help directly, we will try to offer advice or refer you to a suitable organisation.
Do I have to pay for help?
No. All assistance provided by Aegis is free of charge.
Will my request be confidential?
Yes. We keep requests confidential. The information you provide is held in protected storage and retained for a limited period.