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A Moscow court has charged several major Russian streaming platforms with alleged violations of the country’s sweeping anti-LGBTQ+ “propaganda” law, marking another escalation in the government’s ongoing campaign to eradicate queer representation from public life.
Court records cited by The Moscow Times reveal that the charges target multiple prominent streaming services, including Kinopoisk, Wink, Ivi, Amediteka, 24TV, Digital Television and Beeline TV. While the filings do not specify which titles allegedly violated the law, many of these platforms have faced similar charges before.
According to reports from Mediazona, Wink and Kinopoisk have each been fined at least four times in recent years for alleged LGBTQ+ “propaganda,” with Ivi also facing multiple penalties. These repeated sanctions highlight the systematic nature of Russia’s censorship efforts.
The legal pressure comes amid surprising popularity for “Heated Rivalry,” a Canadian romantic sports drama that has found a devoted Russian audience despite being unavailable through official channels. Based on Rachel Reid’s novel from her “Game Changers” series, the show follows two professional hockey players whose fierce on-ice competition evolves into a secret, years-long love affair.
Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar, writing for Vanity Fair, described the series as enjoying “extraordinary success” in Russia. On Kinopoisk—ironically, one of the platforms facing legal action—the show currently holds an impressive 8.6 rating from more than 30,000 users, demonstrating significant audience interest despite the government’s prohibition of such content.
Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ legal framework has expanded dramatically in recent years. First enacted in 2013 under the pretense of “protecting children” from information about “non-traditional sexual relationships,” the law was broadened in 2022 to apply to all audiences regardless of age. Penalties are substantial, with individuals facing fines of up to 400,000 rubles (approximately $4,500) and organizations potentially being fined up to 5 million rubles ($56,000).
The crackdown intensified further in 2023 when Russia’s Supreme Court labeled the “international LGBT movement”—a designation for an entity that doesn’t formally exist—as an “extremist” group. This ruling effectively criminalized all forms of LGBTQ+ activism, expression, and visibility in the country.
Enforcement actions have accelerated dramatically since then. Authorities have fined a man for joking that he founded the LGBTQ+ movement, jailed staff and owners of queer venues, conducted mass detentions at club events, and forced international platforms like Duolingo to remove inclusive language content. Other targets have included Elton John’s AIDS Foundation, the animated series “My Little Pony” (now labeled as adult content), and the gaming platform Roblox. In one particularly notable case, a university student was expelled simply for posting makeup videos online.
These actions reflect a broader trend of tightening control over media and expression in Russia, with digital platforms increasingly in the crosshairs of government censors. Streaming services, which had previously operated with relative freedom compared to traditional broadcast media, now face mounting pressure to purge content that doesn’t align with the state’s social and political agenda.
Human Rights Watch has repeatedly condemned Russia’s actions. Hugh Williamson, director of the organization’s Europe and Central Asia division, accused Russian authorities of “weaponizing the justice system” to marginalize LGBTQ+ people. “They are flagrantly violating Russians’ rights to free expression, association and non-discrimination,” Williamson stated.
The underground popularity of shows like “Heated Rivalry” illustrates a significant disconnect between state policy and public interest. Despite intensifying censorship, many Russians continue to seek out diverse storytelling through unofficial channels, demonstrating a persistent appetite for queer narratives even as the government attempts to erase them from the cultural landscape.
This latest round of charges against streaming platforms signals that Russia’s campaign against LGBTQ+ representation shows no signs of abating, even as it pushes such content further underground rather than eliminating demand for it.
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14 Comments
The charges against streaming platforms for LGBTQ+ ‘propaganda’ are a worrying sign of Russia’s ongoing crackdown on queer representation. This censorship undermines artistic freedom and the free exchange of ideas, which are essential for a healthy democracy.
Absolutely. Restricting access to LGBTQ+ content is a transparent attempt to marginalize these communities and erase their existence from public life. This kind of intolerance has no place in a modern, pluralistic society.
This is really concerning. Russia’s crackdown on LGBTQ+ content in media is a worrying trend that undermines free expression and diversity. Streaming services shouldn’t be penalized for showing stories that reflect the full spectrum of human experiences.
I agree, censorship and propaganda laws that target minority groups are antithetical to democratic values. Russia should focus on more pressing issues instead of policing people’s personal lives and identities.
The popularity of ‘Heated Rivalry’ in Russia despite it being unavailable through official channels shows there is clearly demand for this type of LGBTQ+ representation. Streaming platforms should be able to cater to their viewers’ interests without government interference.
Yes, people will find ways to access the content they want regardless of censorship. The government’s time and resources would be better spent on issues that actually impact people’s lives in a meaningful way.
This news about Russian authorities cracking down on LGBTQ+ content in streaming services is very troubling. It’s a clear infringement on freedom of speech and creative expression. Censorship of this kind has no place in a modern, democratic society.
I agree, this is a concerning development. The government should not be policing people’s personal identities and relationships. This type of ideological crusade is a distraction from the real issues facing the country.
This crackdown on LGBTQ+ content is a disturbing development that undermines artistic freedom and the free flow of information. Streaming platforms should be able to offer a diverse range of programming without fear of legal repercussions.
I agree, this sets a dangerous precedent. The government should not be dictating what people can watch or read. Censorship of this kind is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes, not democracies that value individual liberty.
It’s disappointing to see Russia doubling down on this discriminatory ‘propaganda’ law. Streaming services should be able to offer a wide range of content that represents the diversity of their audiences. This move stifles creative expression and free choice.
Exactly. These types of censorship efforts often backfire and end up drawing more attention to the content they’re trying to suppress. Russia would be better off addressing real social issues rather than wasting resources on this ideological crusade.
The charges against streaming services for LGBTQ+ ‘propaganda’ are a concerning escalation of Russia’s efforts to erase queer representation from public life. This kind of censorship is a violation of free expression and goes against principles of diversity and inclusion.
Absolutely. Restricting access to LGBTQ+ content is a transparent attempt to marginalize and silence these communities. It’s a worrying sign of the government’s intolerance and unwillingness to respect the rights of all its citizens.