Moscow police charge publisher with violating ‘LGBT propaganda’ ban, marking first case under new legislation
Moscow police have filed misdemeanor charges against Popcorn Books, a publishing company whose novels address “uncomfortable” topics such as “self-identification, racism, and sexism,” according to its own website. The company stands accused of violating the authorities’ newest anti-LGBT law, which bans materials that promote “non-traditional” relationships among people of any age.
According to State Duma Deputy Alexander Khinshtein, this is the first time a person or company has been charged under the new legislation.
“I’m expecting the case to make it to court, and Popcorn Books, which is openly challenging the state, to get what it deserves,” said Khinshtein, who filed the report that forms the basis of the case. Popcorn Books hasn’t commented publicly on the charges against it.
Khinshtein announced he was lodging official complaints against Popcorn Books in early December, after the company began printing part of Article 29 of the Russian Constitution — which guarantees free speech and bans censorship — on the plastic wrappers of books that contain LGBT+ characters.
