![Penelopa Penelopa, who would only give his stage name, steps out on stage for a performance at the Mayak cabaret in Sochi, Feb. 8, 2014.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/mayak-caberet-sochi-russia-01.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
By TIME Photo
![Sochi Olympics Gay in Sochi Performers get ready backstage before a performance at the Mayak cabaret, the most reputable gay club in Sochi, Feb. 8, 2014.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/mayak-caberet-sochi-russia-06.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Penelopa Penelopa, who would only give his stage name, gets ready backstage before a performance at the Mayak cabaret in Sochi, Feb. 8, 2014.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/mayak-caberet-sochi-russia-05.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Andrei Sarkisian Andrei Sarkisian, second from right, who goes by the stage name of Miss Zhuzha, gets ready backstage before a performance at the Mayak cabaret in Sochi, Feb. 8, 2014.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/mayak-caberet-sochi-russia-02.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Penelopa Penelopa, who would only give his stage name, steps out on stage for a performance at the Mayak cabaret in Sochi, Feb. 8, 2014.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/mayak-caberet-sochi-russia-01.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Kira, Lisa Kira, left, and Lisa, right, who would only give their stage names, perform during a show at the Mayak cabaret in Sochi, Feb. 8, 2014.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/mayak-caberet-sochi-russia-04.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Penelopa, Veranda Workers wait for customers to arrive before a performance at the Mayak cabaret in Sochi, Feb. 8, 2014.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/mayak-caberet-sochi-russia-07.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Sochi Olympics Gay in Sochi Sochi Olympics Gay in Sochi](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/mayak-caberet-sochi-russia-08.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Veranda Veranda, who would only his stage name, performs at the Mayak cabaret in Sochi, Feb. 8 2014.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/mayak-caberet-sochi-russia-03.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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