Surveillance and the threat of imprisonment: Euronews spoke to Russian queer activists who have chosen to stay in the country, despite increasing hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community. In the heart of St. Petersburg, Sof, a volunteer at Centre-T, helps Russia’s trans community get care. He is currently inundated with a stream of desperate pleas for aid. “I had to learn how to help people in completely different states of despair”, he told Euronews. “Many didn’t know what to do next, many were afraid or in critical psychological conditions.” Centre-T is one of the largest organisations connecting Russia’s transgender community with medical care, hormones and even support for those seeking to flee the country.