Hello,

I would really like to spend a few months in Russia to improve my Russian, but I am gay man, in my 30's, I am married to another man, and I'm a bit worried about how to manage my communication/image while socializing in Russia.

My main purpose would be to improve my Russian and discover the country and make friends, but I am worried that at some point, as soon as I get to know anyone, they will inevitably ask about my love life. I could pretend that I am straight and single, but then they would wonder how come a guy in his 30's is still single. Basically I fear that I will have trouble making friends because I won't be able to hide the truth for very long, unless I completely invent a fake past and go around saying that I have a wife and kids back home waiting for me to come back, which would be really uncomfortable for me.

So I'd like advice from Russians living in Russia, and/or from foreigners who might have been in the same situation. Can I somehow spend 3 or 4 months in Russian, make great friends, without ever having to discuss this aspect of my life and without ever raising suspicions among my straight Russian friends?

Thanks.