Yelena Grigoryeva

Yelena Grigoryeva was a Russian human rights activist and environmentalist who dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of the LGBT community and protecting the environment. She was born in Moscow in 1975 and grew up in a family of activists. Her parents were both involved in the Soviet dissident movement and her father was a prominent member of the Moscow Helsinki Group.

Early Life

Yelena was a bright and passionate child who was deeply interested in politics and social justice. She attended Moscow State University and graduated with a degree in law in 1997. After graduating, she worked as a lawyer for a number of years before becoming a full-time activist.

LGBT Activism

In the early 2000s, Yelena began to focus her activism on the rights of the LGBT community. She was a vocal advocate for LGBT rights and was a founding member of the Russian LGBT Network. She was also a member of the Moscow Pride organizing committee and was a regular participant in the annual Moscow Pride marches.

In addition to her activism, Yelena was also a prolific writer and wrote extensively about LGBT rights and the need for greater acceptance and understanding of the LGBT community in Russia. She was also a frequent contributor to the Russian LGBT Network’s website and wrote a number of articles for the organization’s magazine.

Environmental Activism

In addition to her work on LGBT rights, Yelena was also a passionate environmentalist. She was a member of the Environmental Watch on the North Caucasus, an organization that works to protect the environment in the region. She was also a vocal opponent of the construction of the Sochi Olympic Village, which she argued would have a devastating impact on the environment.

Death

Yelena was tragically killed in July 2018, when she was stabbed to death in her home in St. Petersburg. Her death sparked outrage in Russia and around the world, and her funeral was attended by hundreds of people.

Legacy

Yelena’s legacy lives on in the work of the organizations she was involved in and the people she inspired. Her death was a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by activists in Russia, and her memory will continue to inspire those who fight for justice and equality.