Russian book publishers seek to circumvent LGBT ‘propaganda’ ban by selling books in other CIS countries
In the months since Moscow passed a law banning LGBTQ+ “propaganda,” some Russian publishing companies have begun looking for ways to access book markets in other CIS countries, Kommersant reported on Tuesday, citing industry sources.
According to the newspaper, the publishers are hoping that operating in these foreign markets will allow them to keep accessing the Russian one, since the purchase (as opposed to the sale) of books containing LGBTQ+ themes and characters is not illegal in Russia.
One source told Kommersant that one of the companies taking this approach is the independent publisher Popcorn Books, which, in its own words, specializes in books that involve “uncomfortable” topics. Some of the company’s books are reportedly already on shelves in Belarusian and Kazakhstani bookstores.
In addition, according to Kommersant, a new publishing company called Panther Books has been registered in Kazakhstan and is currently searching for Russian-language authors who write about LGBTQ+ topics. The company said on Telegram that it doesn’t plan to sell its books on Russian territory.
One source called Popcorn Books’s plan "logical”: “A lot of people in CIS countries read in Russian, and they have no problems with legislation banning LGBT propaganda.”
In December 2022, Vladimir Putin signed a law banning LGBTQ+ “propaganda” on Russian territory. Any mention of the LGBTQ+ community in Russia can now carry a heavy fine.
