Advertisement

Russian senator: Same-sex emojis may break law

A Russian senator parliament issued a complaint this week to survey whether there is potential danger in emoji illustrations that depict same-sex kissing.

Facebook launched some new stickers for its Messenger app in June in celebration of "LGBT Pride Month." Now Russia is investigating whether the emojiis violate the law there. Image courtesy of Facebook
Facebook launched some new stickers for its Messenger app in June in celebration of "LGBT Pride Month." Now Russia is investigating whether the emojiis violate the law there. Image courtesy of Facebook

MOSCOW, July 31 (UPI) -- Russia's state media watchdog is investigating whether same-sex themed emojis on social media are in violation of a 2013 Russian law that prohibits the promotion of nontraditional sexual relationships.

Mikhail Marchenko, a senator in Russia's upper house of parliament, issued a complaint this week to survey whether there is potential danger in emoji illustrations that depict same-sex kissing, Time reported.

Advertisement

In his written appeal to the Federal Service for Supervision of Communication, Information Technology and Mass Media – Roskomnadzor – Marchenko called for an investigation into whether the emojis violate Russia's controversial 2013 law against "homosexual propaganda" among minors. The law was signed in June 2013 "for the purpose of protecting children from information advocating for a denial of traditional family values."

"These emojis of non-tradition sexual orientation are seen by all users of the social network, a large proportion of whom are minors. But propaganda of homosexuality is banned under the laws and under the pillars of tradition that exist here in our country," Marchenko wrote.

In response, the federal agency had the Young Guard, the main youth group of Russian President Vladimir Putin's political party, form an "expert opinion" on this matter of "high social significance."

Advertisement

Facebook launched the series of gay pride stickers for its Messenger app in June in celebration of "LGBT Pride Month." Apple launched new emojis in April that include ones depicting same-sex kissing.

Elena Klimova, the founder of an online community for LGBT teenagers in Russia, was fined 50,000 rubles this week under the country's controversial law, The Guardian reported. Klimova said she would appeal the ruling.

Latest Headlines