Alexander Hinstein, the politician who helped draft the law, said a department of the Interior Ministry in Moscow began investigating the publishing house.
An independent Russian publishing house is being investigated by authorities for propagating “non-traditional sexual relations”, a ruling party lawmaker said today, after it was accused of openly flouting tough new laws targeting the LGBTQI+ community.
Publishing house Popcorn Books, which has published novels related to LGBTI+ relationships and self-identification, began printing on the covers of its books Article 29.5 of the Russian constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, as soon as Russia enacted a new law banning the promotion of “LGBTQ+ propaganda” to adults.
Alexander Hinstein, the politician who helped draft the law, said a department of the interior ministry in Moscow began investigating the publishing house after he had already formally appealed to the authorities last December.
“I hope the case goes to court and Popcorn Books, which is challenging the state directly, gets what it deserves,” he said in a social media post.
“Let me remind you that this publishing house is one of the leading promoters of LGBTI+ literature in Russia,” he said.
The publishing house Popcorn Books was not able to immediately comment on this development.
The new law, which broadens Russia’s interpretation of what is labeled “LGBTQ+ propaganda,” gives authorities the right to fine individuals or organizations that promote homosexuality in public, online, or through films, books or advertisements.
Russian lawmakers say they are defending morality against what they say are “un-Russian” liberal values ​​promoted by the West, but rights groups say the actions are designed to bar minority representation, such as are lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people (LGBTQI+), in public life.
A representative of the LGBTI+ rights organization Sphere said that it is not the first time that the publishing house Popcorn Books has been targeted and that the new law is open to very broad interpretations by the authorities.
“Since the word ‘propaganda’ has never been defined anywhere in the laws, anyone and anything can fall under it,” Noel Saida, Sphere’s chief communications officer, told Reuters.
Popcorn Books is a Moscow publishing house that introduces itself as follows: “We publish exciting fiction books that deal with ‘uncomfortable’ topics: issues of self-definition, racism and sexism, attitudes towards our own bodies.” A bestseller was the book by Jelena Malisova and Katerina Silvanova, “A summer in a pioneer camp”, which tells the love story of a camp leader and his 16-year-old student. Its sequel, “Why the Swallow is Silent,” has also been published.
RES-EMP
Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
