Popcorn Books, a publishing house that publishes queer literature, has been hit with two administrative cases.

The police opened administrative cases of “LGBT propaganda” (Article 6.21 of the Administrative Code) and petty hooliganism (Article 20.1 of the Administrative Code) against the publishing house Popcorn Books - this happened after an appeal from State Duma deputy Alexander Khinshtein. The official reported this on his telegram channel.

Khinshtein complained that Popcorn Books “ostentatiously” began decorating book covers with quotes from Article 29 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and the prohibition of censorship. After the adoption of amendments implying a complete ban on “LGBT propaganda,” the publishing house marked the banned books in this way. The deputy believes that by doing so, Popcorn Books “decided to enter into an open battle with the Russian state and society.”

What exactly the police considered “hooliganism” was not specified.

Popcorn Books specializes in publishing literature in the young adult genre. The publishing house, among other things, published queer literature: the books “Call Me by Your Name,” which formed the basis of the famous film, and “Summer in a Pioneer Tie,” which was discussed in the State Duma before amendments were introduced to completely ban “LGBT propaganda.”

• On December 5, 2022, Vladimir Putin signed a law that provides for a ban on “LGBT propaganda” on the Internet, the media, literature, cinema and advertising. For violations of the law, administrative liability is provided in the form of large fines, and for foreigners and stateless persons - deportation from Russia. Films that showcase queer experiences will not receive distribution certificates. Products (including books) that are perceived to contain such “propaganda” will be prohibited from sale.
• The former owners of the publishing house Popcorn Books, Alexey Dokuchaev and Andrey Baev, were recognized as “foreign agents” in October 2022.