Russia investigates My Little Pony for suspected LGBT+ propaganda – 2024-02-20 16:28:32

An event for fans of the popular series “My Little Pony” was investigated by Moscow police, who received a call about alleged propaganda LGBTQ+according to organizers last Sunday.

The “Mi Amore†convention was closed by organizers on Sunday morning, after police arrived at the venue in the Russian capital, although they found no evidence of illegal activity.

Why did the Russian police come to the My Little Pony fan event?

“The police received a complaint that our event promoted non-traditional relationships and related symbols, adult content and general horrors and darkness (…) Two police searches found no basis for these complaints,’ the organizers wrote on the Russian social network VK.

According to the organizers, the police initially only asked that the event close a few hours earlier than planned, but then asked to close it even earlier, upon hearing unconfirmed reports that there were more police heading to the venue. Both organizers and volunteers were able to leave without incident, they said.

The convention, which has as its logo a horse with a mane in the colors of the Russian flag, sought to attract adult fans of the “My Little Pony” series. She had planned that there would be live music and kiosks with merchandise.

Although “My Little Pony” is marketed largely to children and focuses on the theme of the magical power of friendship, some in Russia fear that could violate the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws.

The Russian film database Kinopoisk changed the classification of the animated series to “only for those over 18″ in December 2023, local press reported, shortly after a Russian court declared ” “the global LGBTQ+ movement†an extremist organization.

Although no explanation was offered for the change, some speculate that it could be due to the character named Rainbow Dash, whose mane and tail have similar colors to those of the LGBTQ+ flag. The show also aired an episode that included a homosexual relationship in 2019.

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The Russia’s Supreme Court banned what the government considers an LGBTQ+ “movement†in November 2023, considering it an extremist organization.

It was part of a repressive wave against LGBTQ+ people in the conservative country where “traditional family values†are part of the rhetoric used by followers of President Vladimir Putin.