Tuckahoe NY Pride

M. Gessen is a Russian-born journalist and author known for reporting on Russia, authoritarianism, and human rights, including LGBTQ issues. They have written for major English-language outlets and built a reputation for explaining how power, propaganda, and weakened institutions shape public life. Gessen’s books brought broad international attention, especially their account of Vladimir Putin’s rise and their narrative history of post-Soviet Russia, which won major U.S. literary recognition. In later work, they extended their analysis to democratic backsliding beyond Russia, combining reported storytelling with strong institutional critique.

Quote: “Autocratic power requires the degradation of moral authority – not the capture of moral high ground.”