As pressure on GayBelarus activists increased, especially after incidents involving threats from far-right groups, police violence, and the rise of homophobia on Belarusian social media, the activists adapted their actions to ensure safety and foster greater solidarity with audiences of Belarusian independent media. This is how the March in Shabany (2011) and the Pride Tram (2012) came about, both of which we discuss in detail in this episode.

In her comments for the podcast, Ekaterina Donskova shares her perspective on activism in the 2000s, how it transformed after 2012, and how the connection between national identity and a stronger sense of community influenced queer activism in 2020.