Community

Social events, entertainment, bars, festivals, cafes, bookstores, etc.

Genderdoc-M in Chisinau. This organization is very active and hosts several events a week, including a queer-themed party on Friday nights (the location changes occasionally). Information related to these events and the organization can be found in Romanian, Russian, and English on their website.
Art Labyrinth - an artistic space in Chisinau host to many events, including the Queer Film Festival in January 2019.
Center for informal education “diversity”
Centrul de Urbanism
Cocosul Rosu - an art studio that hosts events, including free painting sessions for the queer community on some Saturday afternoons. Contact Genderdoc to register.
Oberliht Association
Tucano Coffee Shop - host of many events, and a good place to check message boards for other local events in Chisinau. They are participating in the campaign “Sunt ok cu mine” (I am ok with myself).

Political/Social Environment

Resources assessing queer- and trans-friendliness in your country

“In Tiraspol, in my experience adults will accept broaching the topic of LGBTQ communities if it is put in a value-neutral context. Many young people are more comfortable and accepting and even well-connected to queer media from the U.S., Western Europe, and even Russia! However, openly queer friends have reported that they were beaten up by police for their queerness, or having their families threatened by the local security services for making art explicitly on queer issues. In Moldova, based on recent statistics, about 95% of people believe that LGBTQ+ people should not be in schools/work with children.” (Fulbrighter ‘18–‘19)

Laws that are accepting or discriminatory and legal resources specifically for LGBTQ persons

“All laws vary from one region to another, considering that one region (Gagauzia) in the south is autonomous, and the eastern region of Transnistria is a de facto independent republic that receives much support (economic, political and cultural) from Russia.” (Fulbrighter ‘18–‘19)

Transnistria: Although institutions here are integrated much more into Russian society here (e.g. universities here are accredited through the Russian system), the laws are not entirely the same. There is no provision regarding gay propaganda like in Russia.” (Fulbrighter ‘18–‘19)

“There is a website similar to craigslist that is commonly used for finding housing (https://makler.md/). It is also widely used in Tiraspol. There is no explicit information on LGBTQ communities. The embassy does not assist in finding housing, and the universities and schools Fulbright grantees are placed in to do not provide housing. Grantees should also reach out to their co-teacher/partners at their institution to find listings in their city or town, and to have them check the apartment before arrival. Some grantees also opt to live with a host family.” (Fulbrighter ‘18–‘19)

Medical resources for LGBTQ persons in your community (special clinics, testing, treatment, pharmacies, etc.)

Podcasts, literature, movies, music, etc.

Carolina Dutca is an openly lesbian visual artist and documentary photographer from Transnistria who has since moved to Moscow.
Chesnok: “The first human rights documentary film festival in Transnistria,” held annually since 2016. It is supported by local NGO, “Club 19” and includes film screenings in Chisinau, Tiraspol, Bendery, Dubossary, and Rybnitsa.
Club 19 is an active civil society organization in Tiraspol, with other offices throughout Transnistria. It hosts many events a week including English clubs, documentary screenings, small art exhibitions, political discussions, and occasionally musical and theatrical performances from visiting groups.
- The organization is currently in a legal battle with the Transnistrian authorities over “fire safety concerns.” This is a very similar to the methods the Russian government used to close down the European University in Saint Petersburg, known for being a liberal private research and education institution, and having gender studies courses.
Moldox: An annual film festival held in Cahul in September.
My Queer Chisinau: an interactive map including pins highlighting stories of queer people throughout Chisinau. CW: Most of the comments in Russian are disparaging, e.g. “Homosexual travel guide. Horror and Shame.”

How to include trans/gender-nonbinary people in conversations in your country’s language(s)

“There is not a lot of discussion regarding non-binary people in Transnistria. Gender roles are generally important and household roles are gender-specific. There is an ongoing discussion among Russian speakers on how to accommodate gender-neutral language.” (Fulbrighter ‘18–‘19)