Like many couples today, Stefania and Angela first connected online, feeling an immediate connection through their virtual communications. “I drew her portrait, began supporting her emotionally, and she supported me in return,” Stefania shares. “Very quickly, a spark passed between us, and we realized that we loved each other.”
In Russia, where Stefania and Angela both lived prior to resettling, LGBTQI+ people face discrimination without legal protections. In recent years, the climate has worsened.
Criminalized for Who They Are: LGBTQI+ Life in Russia Today
“We were forced to leave our country," says Stefania, referring to the 2023 Russian Supreme Court decision that labeled the LGBTQ+ community as "extremist" and "terrorist." The court ruling banned the couple from "living openly and safely" and legitimized "bullying, discrimination, and violence against us,” Stefania says.
Under these circumstances, Stefania and Angela also experienced financial hardship, and struggled to meet their basic needs. “All of this was compounded by constant discrimination and the threat of violence,” she explains.
After reaching out to Rainbow Railroad, Stefania and Angela made plans to relocate to Spain. The decision to leave was not taken lightly, and their travels were fraught with anxiety. “We were also afraid that passport controls might stop us, or that we might say something wrong,” Stefania shares. However, their travels passed without incident, and Stefania and Angela began to rebuild their lives in a new country.
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Starting Over in Spain: Freedom to Love Openly
For both women, Spain was a chance to experience their relationship in a way that they had never imagined. Stefania describes the feeling of freedom that the couple shares now:
“After the move, the constant tension left our bodies. We hold hands in public, kiss openly, and live freely in our rights. We became calmer, freer, and genuinely happier.”
They have taken advantage of everything that a new country has to offer, and celebrate many aspects of their new home. “We rejoiced in the tasty food, the landscapes, and the feeling that almost everything around us was filled with warmth and care. We finally breathed in freedom,” Stefania says. They have built a new, chosen family with their neighbours, and have decorated their home together: “We were given cozy blankets, and on the shelf I placed a candle and several Funko Pop figurines.” A Pride flag hangs in their apartment: a symbol of the visibility that they can now celebrate.
Together, they now enjoy simple pleasures, the moments in a romantic relationship that many people take for granted: “What brings us joy is cooking together, going for walks, watching movies, and simply hugging each other.”
The Internet as a Pathway to Love and Safety
Stefania and Angela are excited to celebrate Valentine’s Day, for the first time since they started dating, in a country where they experience safety and security. Stefania describes their hopes for the day, sharing, “I think we might have a picnic on the pier and watch the sea together.”
LGBTQI+ people in Russia now face additional barriers in seeking assistance. In October of 2025, Russia blocked access to Rainbow Railroad’s website, cutting off a vital resource for LGBTQI+ people at risk. The internet—the same way that Angela and Stefania met each other and sparked a deep connection—was also a critical tool on their pathway to safety.
Still, Stefania and Angela urge other LGBTQI+ people at risk to have hope in the potential of a safer future: “Do not give up, and believe in something better,” Stefania says. Since the moment they met, their relationship has been a way forward, representing hope, resilience, and the future that they can now build together.