Russian woman fined for "LGBT propaganda" over rainbow flag social media posts
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A court in the Russian republic of Karachay-Cherkessia has fined a local woman for allegedly disseminating “LGBT propaganda” through social media posts made over five years ago. The posts, which included images of rainbow flags and one depicting two girls kissing, were shared on the Russian platform VK in May 2020.
The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, was tried in the city of Cherkessk on 9 September. She admitted guilt, expressed remorse, and requested leniency, stating that she had not accessed the account since creating it and had forgotten about the posts. The court issued a fine of 1,000 rubles - approximately €10.
This case is part of a broader crackdown following Russia’s Supreme Court ruling in November 2023, which designated the so-called “International LGBT Movement” as an extremist organisation. The ruling, coupled with legislative changes expanding the ban on “LGBT propaganda” to adults, has led to increased censorship and legal action against individuals displaying LGBTQ+ symbols or content.
Other recent cases include fines for individuals sharing rainbow-themed imagery, such as album art referencing Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon, and emojis featuring rainbow flags.
