REGGIE YATES
This year, BBC3 screened a documentary series that shed light on what life is like in 21st century Russia. The second episode of Extreme Russia exposed the hatred and violence that the country’s LGBT citizens face following the introduction of anti-LGBT laws in 2013. Presenter and Attitude Ally Award winner Reggie Yates discusses what it was like filming the documentary series, his personal connection to the LGBT community and what comes next...
WORDS KEVIN LONG
Attitude Award Winner
ALLY AWARD
PHOTOGRAPHY JOSEPH SINCLAIR
FASHION NICK BYAM
When I speak to ReggieYates over the phone he is overjoyed and surprised at being named the recipient of the Ally Award at this year’s Attitude Awards. “I’m so proud and excited,” the 32-year-old north Londoner exclaims. “It’s an incredible honour to receive this award. To make programmes that matter is one thing, but to make programmes that resonate with the audience that you’re discussing is the most gratifying aspect.”
He should be pleased. His most recent documentary series for BBC Three, Extreme Russia, garnered much buzz in the press and on social media after shedding light on modern day Russian society, culture and politics and showed a new side to the DJ and presenter. The three-part series focused on everything from the country’s extreme nationalism and xenophobia, to its teen modelling industry, to its appalling treatment of the LGBT community. The latter in particular made for distressing viewing.