Sex Party in Moscow Costs 60–1500 Euros 0 14

The main format of secret sex parties in Russia is now apartment gatherings of up to thirty people and small parties of up to a hundred participants. The largest event this year was organized by four different projects of like-minded individuals and gathered 250 people. Ivan, an event organizer, told Insider about this.

In the Moscow region, there are several cottages with sympathetic owners. This is where everything happens. Moreover, these cottages have long been known in the community, and almost all sex-positive projects have visited them.

For safety reasons, when registering a participant, the location is described quite vaguely, for example: "20 minutes from the MKAD." At the last moment, the selected guests are sent the exact coordinates.

Another recent event was held in a shopping center near one of the metro stations in the Moscow Third Ring area. The organizers specifically warned guests: do not come in costume. Dress in regular clothes; there will be a changing room inside. A more expensive party for 50 people was held in a penthouse of a hotel in central Moscow. Such a room has a separate entrance. And again, the organizers' instructions: do not attract attention; when passing by security, make a "poker face."

The cost of participation varies for men, women, and couples. It also depends on how far in advance tickets are purchased. A ticket for an apartment gathering can cost 6–7 thousand rubles (60–70 euros). Participation in a more carefully organized meeting costs 20–30 thousand per person. There are also elite events where a single man has to pay more than 150 thousand rubles (1500 euros) for entry.

The cost depends not only on the appetites of the organizers and the rental of the venue. An important factor is the number of staff per participant. Large parties involve actors from erotic shows, BDSM practitioners, and erotic massage experts.

Some of the practitioners are volunteers. For several hours, they entertain other participants, and the rest of the time they relax at the party for free. Ivan mentions that his work usually costs the organizer five thousand rubles.

Before the war and the start of repressions, erotic party organizers always hired private security. After transitioning to an underground mode, security is only hired for elite events. At regular ones, volunteers monitor the order.

Only for Their Own

Special attention is now paid to the selection of participants. For instance, one of the previously active organizers of sex-positive events decided to throw a party for his birthday. He rented a hotel and asked all his acquaintances to bring suitable people, Ivan recounts: "Now they try to recruit participants only by recommendation. So to speak, 'through one handshake.' Moreover, this organizer allowed his contacts to be shared, but for the sake of secrecy, he asked us to say that he is not the organizer."

Now they try to recruit participants only by recommendation — 'through one handshake'

To avoid problems, the organizers have significantly tightened the preliminary interviews, Ivan explains: "There always used to be a questionnaire to fill out, and then a preliminary online interview. Now the questionnaire includes a question about LGBT. If a person demonstrates homophobia, they won't even be invited for an interview."

At the same time, homosexual practices at such events have been and remain extremely few. The entire LGBT component usually manifested itself in lesbian caresses. In the situation of the ban in Russia on the 'international LGBT movement,' even the organizers of secret and unofficial parties are taking precautions, Ivan shares. Last time, the female volunteers were directly instructed: "Girls, don't overdo it with the lesbian story; focus your attention on the boys."

Sasha (name changed) once came to Moscow from a large Ural city. She became immersed in sex events in the capital and managed to organize several parties in her hometown between the coronavirus pandemic and the war. Now she teaches tantra, leans towards monogamy and traditional family relationships, but occasionally meets with former companions.

"Everyone has organized into their groups. There are chats on Telegram with 100–150 people; this is a safe base," she says. "New people are practically brought in by hand. No one pressures anyone into anything. They practice active consent. They might gather at someone's apartment in the middle of the week and just play board games. Then they set a date and organize a party. I come myself to play board games and have a beer."