Ours in the USA: the love story of an artist from Russia and an employee of the American Embassy

Frame video YouTube / Voice of America

Yaroslav is a well-known artist in Washington. He leads a busy life - he has his own art studio, participates in numerous exhibitions, and runs a small hotel. Recently, another one was added to his many responsibilities - together with his partner John, Yaroslav adopted twin girls. This is his American story as told by "Voice of America«.

Yaroslav began to draw at the same time as walking. Parents always supported the child, so he entered the art institute after graduating from art school. Since Yaroslav studied at the Faculty of Sculpture, after graduation from the institute, it was not possible to find work in the profession. At that time, the state didn’t particularly develop in this direction, so the guy took up graphic design.

Jaroslav and John met 20 years ago at a bar. Yaroslav was in the States for the first time.

Frame video YouTube / Voice of America

The trip to Washington was part of the cultural exchange. After that, they corresponded for a whole year, went to visit each other, and then John decided to move from Washington to Moscow. First he came for a year. Then he stayed for five years. John worked at the American Embassy, ​​but after five years in Russia, he had to return to the United States.

Frame video YouTube / Voice of America

Due to the fact that Yaroslav was in an artistic environment, they did not feel any pressure from society. All their friends were quite liberal, but it was not always safe in the city itself. Some of their friends have become victims of social rejection of same-sex relationships. Yaroslav still remembers a friend who was beaten to death because of his orientation. After such events, the couple decided to continue building their relationship in the United States.

“America is a land for everyone. You can be anything you want and feel good about yourself. You can be gay, Jewish, African-American, Armenian, Argentinean... whatever you want, and feel comfortable here. Basically, everyone here gets along with each other. This is a country of immigrants, so life here is easier. If you are gay, you have a better chance of being accepted. And where you are accepted, you are not humiliated,” says John.

Before leaving for Moscow, in 1996, John bought his first home in Washington, so after returning to the States, the couple settled in it.

After moving to 2002, the artist had to start everything from scratch. Due to the fact that he had not yet entered the artistic circle, Yaroslav walked through the galleries, found out who is who, made connections, and after that decided to get an American education.

After some time, the couple managed to buy another house and turn it into a hotel, like bed and breakfast. Then they bought another house and created a second hotel. The guys consider themselves lucky. “No one was buying houses then, but over time the city grew and prospered, and real estate grew in price,” says Yaroslav.

They married 7 August 2013, after a federal law allowing same-sex marriage entered into force.

Frame video YouTube / Voice of America

After the appearance of their daughters, John and Yaroslav reduced their business by selling one house. Caring for children demanded more time and money.

The girls were born at the end of May. Violet and Claire are the biological children of John and Yaroslav. They turned to an egg donor, but the fathers are different, so they are sisters.

Frame video YouTube / Voice of America

Choosing a name was not an easy task. Jaroslav and John chose the order of the 30 names they liked, wrote them on pieces of paper and hung them all over the room. Then they took turns striking them out, until they stopped at Violetta and Claire.

Frame video YouTube / Voice of America

The couple tries to speak two languages ​​with their children. Yaroslav speaks more Russian, and John speaks English, but sometimes Russian. Parents welcome the fact that their children will be fluent in two languages. It is important for them that they know that one dad is Russian and the other is American. “This will help them in the future,” says Yaroslav.

The couple is not against adopting even more children.

“A big family is wonderful! Next year we plan to have two more children. Our friend [egg donor - ed. ForumDaily] said she would help us again. We are delighted with this. Of course, it’s hard to do everything ourselves, so we will have a governess or a nanny,” said John. Yaroslav fully supports his partner: “If we can do this, it will be great. It's incredible to be parents."

Young fathers hope that they will serve as an example and will be able to change the attitude towards same-sex married couples.

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