Police referred to as to research ‘LGBT+ propaganda‘ at My Little Pony conference in Moscow

Moscow police have been referred to as to research obvious ‘LGBT+ propaganda‘ at a fan occasion devoted to My Little Pony, organisers mentioned.

The Mi Amore conference was closed by organisers early on Saturday after police arrived on the venue within the Russian capital, however officers have been unable to seek out proof of criminality.

Though it’s geared toward kids and targeted on the magical energy of friendship, My Little Pony has beforehand prompted nervousness in russia, with some fearing it present may run afoul of the nation’s anti-LGBT+ laws.

Russian film database Kinopoisk modified its ranking for the animated collection to an adult-only 18+ in December 2023, native information shops reported, not lengthy after a Russian court docket declared the “international LGBTQ+ motion” to be an extremist organisation.

Though no purpose was given for the change, viewers speculated that the choice might be linked to the character Rainbow Sprint, whose multi-coloured mane and tail are much like the LGBT+ delight flag. The present additionally launched an episode that featured a same-sex couple in 2019.

“The police acquired a grievance claiming that our occasion promoted non-traditional relationships and associated symbols, grownup content material for minors, and basic horror and darkness,” occasion organisers wrote on Russian social media web site VK.

“Two police checks didn’t uphold these complaints.”

They mentioned officers initially requested them to shut the occasion just a few hours sooner than deliberate, however organisers determined to shut the conference earlier nonetheless after listening to unconfirmed studies of extra officers heading to the venue.

Organisers and volunteers have been capable of go away with out incident, they added.

The conference, which options an animated horse with a mane styled within the colors of the Russian flag as its brand, catered to My Little Pony’s grownup followers and deliberate to characteristic reside music in addition to stalls promoting merchandise.

The Russian Supreme Courtroom banned what the federal government referred to as the LGBT+ “motion” in russia in November 2023, labelling it an extremist organisation.

The ruling was a part of a crackdown on LGBT+ folks within the more and more conservative nation the place “conventional household values” have develop into a cornerstone of President Vladimir Putin’s 24-year rule.

Russian legal guidelines prohibit public shows of symbols of extremist organisations, and a minimum of three individuals who displayed rainbow-coloured objects have acquired jail time or fines because the ruling.