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Russian Court Fines Major Bookstore Chain for “LGBT Propaganda” in Literary Classics
A district court in Makhachkala, Daghestan, has imposed an 800,000 ruble ($8,600) fine on the prominent Russian bookstore chain Chitai-Gorod for selling books deemed to contain “LGBT propaganda,” including the acclaimed science fiction classic “The Left Hand of Darkness” by Ursula K. Le Guin.
The ruling, issued on March 16 by the Leninsky District Court, targeted OOO Novy Knizhny M, the legal entity that owns the chain, according to reporting by independent Russian media outlet Mediazona.
Court documents reveal that the case centered on three literary works: “Beartown” and “Us Against You” by Swedish author Fredrik Backman, alongside Le Guin’s 1969 novel. The books were purchased at a Chitai-Gorod location in Makhachkala’s Etazhi shopping center.
The legal process began when a customer identified as A.M. Kadieva bought the books, claimed to identify “signs of propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations,” and surrendered them with purchase receipts to Daghestan’s Center for Combating Extremism, a division of the Interior Ministry.
The court’s decision relied heavily on assessments provided by specialists from Transbaikal State University. Philosophy Professor Artem Zhukov determined the works contained “signs of ideas associated with the promotion of homosexuality,” while Literature Professor Lyudmila Kamedina stated the texts displayed a “homosexual orientation” with potential influence on readers.
In her report, Associate Professor Nadezhda Antsiferova wrote that the books promoted ideas of “approval and acceptance of non-binary relationships” and the “unnecessariness of traditional spiritual and moral values.”
“Under the banner of liberation from prejudice, the authors call for the abolition of the traditional social value system and its replacement with sexual anarchism, whereby individuals are free to choose their own gender identity at any point in their lives,” the expert assessment claimed. “The publications have a negative impact on perceptions of traditional notions of family and society.”
The bookstore chain did not send a representative to the hearing despite proper notification, and no requests for postponement were submitted. The court proceeded in their absence, finding the company guilty and imposing the minimum fine allowed under the relevant statute. The ruling noted “voluntary cessation of the unlawful conduct” as a mitigating factor.
In its decision, the court cited the Russian constitution and family code, which define family as a union between a man and a woman under state protection. The ruling asserted that information about “non-traditional sexual relations” must not contradict the “foundations of the legal order” established in Russian law.
This case is not isolated. Mediazona reports that the expert conclusions mirror those used in a similar case in Chita, where another Chitai-Gorod location received an identical fine in late December 2025. Between December 2025 and January 2026, authorities filed at least seven administrative protocols against the chain’s shops under the “LGBT propaganda” statute, primarily concerning Backman’s and Le Guin’s works.
“The Left Hand of Darkness,” widely recognized as one of the 20th century’s most significant science fiction novels, depicts a society without fixed gender divisions. Backman’s novels focus on life in a small Swedish community, exploring social and personal conflicts within what has been called his “hockey cycle” trilogy.
Interestingly, the Russian Book Union’s review of Backman’s third novel in the series, “The Winners,” found no evidence of “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations,” allowing that book to return to shelves.
The legal framework for these actions stems from legislation signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December 2022, establishing a comprehensive ban on “propaganda of LGBT, pedophilia, and gender reassignment,” including displaying such content to minors. Violations can result in fines up to 400,000 rubles ($4,300) for individuals and 5 million rubles ($54,000) for legal entities. Previously, Russian law only prohibited “LGBT propaganda” among minors.
The bookstore has 60 days from the ruling’s enforcement to pay the fine, with additional administrative penalties possible for non-compliance. The decision can be appealed to Daghestan’s Supreme Court within 10 days of receipt.
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7 Comments
It’s troubling to see respected authors like Le Guin and Backman facing fines over the content of their books. Literature should be free to explore the human experience without fear of government censorship. This ruling seems overly restrictive and worrying for the future of free expression.
I’m surprised and disappointed to see classics like Le Guin’s work being targeted in this way. Literature often explores complex social issues, and censoring it sets a concerning precedent. This seems like an unnecessary restriction on free expression.
This ruling is troubling and seems to set a worrying precedent for censorship of literature in Russia. Books should be free to explore complex themes without fear of government intervention. I hope the decision can be appealed or that the law is revised to better protect artistic freedom.
While I understand concerns about inappropriate content, classifying these literary works as ‘LGBT propaganda’ feels like a stretch. Books should be judged on their merits, not censored for ideological reasons. This ruling seems heavy-handed and concerning for artistic freedom.
This seems like a heavy-handed overreaction by the Russian authorities. Literature should be free to explore diverse themes without fear of censorship or punishment. I hope the bookstore can appeal this decision or that the law is revised to protect artistic expression.
I’m concerned to see this kind of censorship happening, even for acclaimed literary works. Restricting artistic expression sets a dangerous precedent. While I understand wanting to shield people from inappropriate content, classifying these books as ‘LGBT propaganda’ seems like an overreaction.
This feels like a disappointing overreach by the Russian authorities. Books should be evaluated based on their literary merit, not censored for ideological reasons. I hope the bookstore is able to appeal this decision or that the law is revised to better protect artistic freedom.