Russian Citizen Fined for Sharing Queen Band Photo Deemed ‘LGBT Propaganda’

A Russian man from St. Petersburg has been fined 50,000 rubles (approximately $570) for sharing an iconic photograph of the rock band Queen dressed in drag on social media, as authorities cited laws against LGBT “propaganda.”

The image in question, taken from Queen’s 1984 music video for “I Want to Break Free,” shows band members Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon dressed in women’s clothing, parodying characters from the British soap opera “Coronation Street.” The photo was posted on the Russian social media platform VKontakte.

The Oktyabrsky District Court in St. Petersburg ruled that the image violated Russia’s increasingly strict laws prohibiting what officials term as “LGBT propaganda.” According to court documents, the man was found guilty of “demonstrating non-traditional sexual relationships,” a violation that has become increasingly common in Russia’s legal system.

This case highlights Russia’s intensifying crackdown on LGBTQ+ expression. In 2022, President Vladimir Putin signed legislation expanding the ban on so-called “LGBT propaganda,” which originally focused on protecting minors but now applies to Russians of all ages. The law effectively prohibits any public display, mention, or positive portrayal of non-heterosexual relationships or non-traditional gender identities.

Human rights organizations have condemned Russia’s growing restrictions on free expression. Amnesty International has previously described these laws as part of a “systematic state-sponsored homophobia” that has worsened under Putin’s leadership. The organization reports that the vague wording of these laws allows authorities to target a wide range of content, from classic art and literature to modern pop culture references.

The Queen image has particular cultural significance, as the “I Want to Break Free” video was already controversial when released in the 1980s. MTV initially banned the video in the United States, though it was popular throughout Europe. The band’s drag performance was intended as humorous and satirical rather than as a political statement about gender or sexuality.

Music historians note that Queen’s frontman Freddie Mercury, who died in 1991 from AIDS-related complications, never formally came out as gay during his lifetime, though his sexuality was widely acknowledged. The band’s enduring popularity in Russia, where they toured in 1989, adds another layer of context to the case.

Legal experts monitoring Russia’s judicial system point out that fines for “LGBT propaganda” violations have increased significantly in recent years. In 2023 alone, Russian courts have issued over 200 rulings related to similar charges, according to the Moscow-based Center for Independent Legal Analysis.

“What’s particularly troubling about this case is that it involves content created decades ago, well before these laws existed,” said Elena Volkova, a legal analyst specializing in Russian free speech issues. “It demonstrates how cultural artifacts from any era can be retroactively criminalized under current legislation.”

The Russian government has defended these laws as protecting “traditional family values,” a position that has gained support among conservative elements of Russian society. Government spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has previously stated that such measures are necessary to “protect Russia’s moral foundations.”

The fine of 50,000 rubles represents a significant financial burden for many Russians, with the average monthly salary in St. Petersburg hovering around 65,000 rubles (approximately $740).

The case has sparked renewed discussion on social media platforms outside Russia about the increasing restrictions on free expression in the country, with many users sharing the Queen image in solidarity with the fined individual. Meanwhile, within Russia, many users have reportedly begun removing potentially problematic content from their social media accounts to avoid similar penalties.

As Russia’s cultural isolation from Western influences continues to grow, legal observers suggest that more cases involving classic Western cultural icons could face similar scrutiny, creating an increasingly challenging environment for Russians who engage with international pop culture.