Police detains party attendees for looking too gay

Russian police have been intensifying their crackdown on individuals under the country’s controversial anti-LGBT laws, reportedly arresting people for dressing in ways deemed “too gay.”

“Trying to arouse interest in non-traditional sexual relations” has been classified as a crime in Russia for over a decade. However, the law was previously enforced primarily against individuals and organisations publishing or promoting LGBT “propaganda.” A recent analysis of court documents by an independent news outlet has revealed that the Kremlin’s efforts to promote “traditional values” now extend to detaining and fining people simply for “looking too gay.”

The Russian news website Verstka highlighted an incident from February of last year that went unreported by the media. During the incident, eight individuals were detained by police for wearing clothing that allegedly promoted “non-traditional sexual relations.”

During a nightclub raid in the city of Tula, Russian police arrested and fined a group of men accused of advancing an LGBT agenda. According to photos and details uncovered in Verstka's analysis of court records, one individual was described as wearing “pink socks, an unbuttoned kimono draped over his shoulders, bright orange dyed hair, and red facial tattoos.” Another was reported to have worn “black tape crosses on his nipples” along with a “women’s-style corset.”

Police reports also described another suspect as “a man wearing a short top that covered his chest, black leather shorts above the knee adorned with chain-shaped ornaments, and fishnet tights.”

The Russian court reportedly agreed with the police, stating that “the appearance of the detainees was inconsistent with the image of a man of traditional sexual orientation.” As a result, two individuals were fined 50,000 roubles (£382) each.

Meanwhile, the bartender of the raided nightclub explained his appearance by claiming to be a goth, citing his turquoise hair, eyebrow piercings, and rolled-up black t-shirt as part of his subcultural identity.

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