Famous scientist Igor Kon died in Moscow
02/05/2011
Submitted by
the Russian LGBT Network
On April 27 died <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Kon" target="_blank" >Igor Kon</a>. Russian LGBT Network mourns the loss of this irreplaceable scientist.
Igor Kon had encyclopedic erudition and breadth of scientific interests. His book, "Faces and Masks of the Same-Sex Love: the Moonlight at Dawn" became Russia's first monograph devoted entirely to various aspects of homosexuality.
His numerous articles with analysis of homosexuality and homophobia initiated the development of gay researches in Russia.
Kon has been one of the few Russian scientists, whose voice has always been heard in support of the LGBT community and against homophobia, even in the courts. This led to the slashing criticism from his foes who descended to the direct threats and intimidations. However, Igor Kon has remained faithful to the moral duty of scientists and continued his researches and educational activities.
Many Russian gays, lesbians and bisexuals accepted themselves, took in their feelings, survived in the truest sense of this word due to Igor Kon. His books, articles and interviews have always stood out by scientific accuracy, insight and humor.
Despite his extremely busy schedule, Igor Kon always found enough time to answer each incoming letter, supporting, answering questions, explaining and instructing.
We have lost not only a great scientist, scholar and human rights activist, we lost friend and mentor.
Igor Kon has been ill for a long time, but did not stop his work. "I just gave the publisher my book "To beat or not to beat?"- He told in the last letter to us. - Now I've started to work on the book "Loving in another way” (“Inakolyubyaschie”). This is a very difficult job. I just want to state complex biological theory simply and understandably and expound philosophical questions of the "queer" theory that are also not less difficult for the perception. If this can be real, the book will have the practical significance."
On March 30 Igor Kon was going to take part in a round table of the Week against homophobia in conjunction with the PACE deputy Andreas Gross and Professor, Doctor of of Juridical Science Yakov Gilinsky. However, on the eve of the roundtable, it became known that Igor Semenovich was hospitalized and unable to attend.
On May 21 he would have turned 83 years.
Igor Kon had encyclopedic erudition and breadth of scientific interests. His book, "Faces and Masks of the Same-Sex Love: the Moonlight at Dawn" became Russia's first monograph devoted entirely to various aspects of homosexuality.
His numerous articles with analysis of homosexuality and homophobia initiated the development of gay researches in Russia.
Kon has been one of the few Russian scientists, whose voice has always been heard in support of the LGBT community and against homophobia, even in the courts. This led to the slashing criticism from his foes who descended to the direct threats and intimidations. However, Igor Kon has remained faithful to the moral duty of scientists and continued his researches and educational activities.
Many Russian gays, lesbians and bisexuals accepted themselves, took in their feelings, survived in the truest sense of this word due to Igor Kon. His books, articles and interviews have always stood out by scientific accuracy, insight and humor.
Despite his extremely busy schedule, Igor Kon always found enough time to answer each incoming letter, supporting, answering questions, explaining and instructing.
We have lost not only a great scientist, scholar and human rights activist, we lost friend and mentor.
Igor Kon has been ill for a long time, but did not stop his work. "I just gave the publisher my book "To beat or not to beat?"- He told in the last letter to us. - Now I've started to work on the book "Loving in another way” (“Inakolyubyaschie”). This is a very difficult job. I just want to state complex biological theory simply and understandably and expound philosophical questions of the "queer" theory that are also not less difficult for the perception. If this can be real, the book will have the practical significance."
On March 30 Igor Kon was going to take part in a round table of the Week against homophobia in conjunction with the PACE deputy Andreas Gross and Professor, Doctor of of Juridical Science Yakov Gilinsky. However, on the eve of the roundtable, it became known that Igor Semenovich was hospitalized and unable to attend.
On May 21 he would have turned 83 years.
