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Russian Man Prosecuted for Posting Queen’s Drag Photo Under “LGBT Propaganda” Law
A 22-year-old Moscow resident faces legal consequences after posting a decades-old image of the British rock band Queen in drag costumes on social media, highlighting Russia’s increasingly stringent anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation.
David Gevondyan was prosecuted for sharing the iconic image from Queen’s 1984 “I Want To Break Free” music video on VK.com, Russia’s equivalent of Facebook. The photo shows band members Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon, and Roger Taylor dressed in women’s clothing as part of their parody of a British soap opera in the famous video.
While Gevondyan’s case was initially heard in March 2023, details of the specific image that prompted legal action only emerged after he appealed his conviction. During the appeal, Gevondyan argued that he had simply posted a well-known photo from a music video rather than material designed to promote a particular ideology.
The court firmly rejected this defense. In its ruling, the court stated that “posting a photo of Queen members dressed in women’s clothing on a website cannot be interpreted in any musical context given the overall meaning of the disseminated information.”
According to court documents, the judiciary determined that by sharing the image, Gevondyan had “positively evaluate[d] non-traditional sexual relationships as natural.” The court further claimed he “distort[ed] the understanding of relations between men and women, undermining family values,” which they asserted threatened Russia’s demographic and economic development.
In addition to the Queen image, Gevondyan was fined for posting two other pictures on VK.com depicting men kissing and men wearing miniskirts, stockings, and wigs. In a separate legal matter, he received a ten-day detention sentence for posting a Ukrainian military symbol.
The case underscores Russia’s escalating crackdown on LGBTQIA+ expression. In November 2022, Russia implemented a comprehensive ban on what authorities term “LGBT propaganda,” expanding previous legislation that prohibited such content aimed at minors to cover all age groups.
The legal environment became even more restrictive in late 2023 when Russian authorities designated what they called the “international LGBT movement”—an entity that does not formally exist—as an extremist organization. This classification gives officials broad powers to target individuals and groups perceived to be associated with LGBTQIA+ advocacy.
This incident is part of a pattern of similar prosecutions. In May 2023, Russian artist and anti-war activist Alisa Gorshenina was both fined and detained for allegedly spreading “LGBT propaganda” simply by using a rainbow emoji in a social media post.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned Russia’s anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation as violations of fundamental freedoms of expression and association. Critics argue these laws create an atmosphere of fear and discrimination while providing authorities with expansive tools to suppress political dissent under the guise of protecting “traditional values.”
The prosecution over a decades-old music video image from one of the world’s most celebrated rock bands illustrates how broadly Russian authorities are willing to interpret these laws. Queen’s “I Want To Break Free” video, while controversial even in the West upon its 1984 release, has long been recognized as a creative artistic expression rather than political statement.
As Russian authorities continue to intensify their campaign against LGBTQIA+ visibility, international human rights observers remain concerned about the increasing restrictions on free expression and the targeting of individuals based on perceived association with sexual orientation or gender identity.
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12 Comments
It’s disheartening to see Russia label such an iconic music video as ‘LGBT propaganda.’ The Queen photo is a cultural touchstone, not a political statement. This crackdown is yet another example of the government’s concerning efforts to censor and control free expression.
Absolutely. The Russian government’s definition of ‘propaganda’ seems to be expanding to include any LGBTQIA+ representation, no matter the context. It’s a dangerous and concerning trend that should be condemned.
The Russian government’s decision to prosecute this individual over a Queen music video photo is deeply troubling. It’s a blatant attempt to erase LGBTQIA+ representation and censor artistic expression. This crackdown on free speech should be condemned by the international community.
This is a deeply troubling development. Prosecuting someone for sharing a decades-old Queen photo is a clear abuse of power and an attack on free expression. The Russian government’s crackdown on LGBTQIA+ representation, even in artistic contexts, is extremely concerning.
This is a concerning development, as the Russian government appears to be aggressively cracking down on any LGBTQIA+ expression or imagery, even historical and artistic in nature. It’s a worrying trend that infringes on freedom of speech and artistic expression.
Agreed, the prosecution of this individual over a decades-old Queen photo is an absurd overreach by the Russian authorities. It highlights the increasingly repressive and intolerant environment for LGBTQIA+ people in the country.
This case highlights the Russian government’s increasingly authoritarian approach to LGBTQIA+ issues. Prosecuting someone over a classic Queen music video photo is a clear abuse of power and an attack on free expression. It’s a disturbing trend that should be condemned.
While I’m not surprised by Russia’s continued efforts to suppress LGBTQIA+ visibility, this case over a Queen photo is particularly concerning. The government’s broad definition of ‘propaganda’ is being used to target even historical and cultural imagery. This is a disturbing trend.
Agreed, the Russian authorities are casting an increasingly wide net when it comes to what they deem ‘propaganda.’ Prosecuting someone over a classic music video photo is an extreme and unwarranted overreach.
The Russian government’s decision to prosecute this individual over a Queen music video photo is a clear violation of freedom of expression. It’s an absurd and heavy-handed attempt to censor LGBTQIA+ visibility, even in historical and cultural contexts. This is a worrying trend that must be condemned.
Absolutely. The Russian authorities’ broad interpretation of ‘propaganda’ is being used to target even innocuous and well-known cultural imagery. This is a dangerous overreach that should be strongly criticized by the international community.
This case is yet another worrying sign of Russia’s increasingly authoritarian approach to LGBTQIA+ issues. Prosecuting someone over a decades-old music video photo is a clear overreach and abuse of power. It’s an assault on artistic freedom and cultural expression.