Popcorn Books, a young adult-focused imprint of Russia’s largest book publisher, Eksmo, has shut down after being targeted by the Russian government for allegedly violating the so-called "law on the propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors", and known as the "anti-gay propaganda law”.
Popcorn Books launched in Moscow in 2018. Its website states that it is for 18+ readers and describes its books as “exciting fiction for young adults and adults that touches on topics which are still regarded as controversial in today’s Russia”.
In May of last year, the distribution director for Eksmo, Anatoly Norovyatkin, was detained by law enforcement officials, along with 10 other people associated with the company. Officials seized books from Popcorn and accused detainees of spreading LGBTQ+ “propaganda” in violation of Russian law. Three Popcorn Books managers are still under house arrest and face up to 10 years in prison.
In another case, three Eksmo employees (including one who worked for Popcorn) were charged with using their official positions to organize extremist activity by publishing and selling LGBTQ+ content. One person, Individual Print publishing house executive director Dmitry Protopopov, was designated as a terrorist.
Popcorn Books recently announced its closure: "Popcorn Books is closing. We are very grateful to everyone who has been with us during these seven years: the authors, partners and, of course, you, dear readers. It was your support that helped us to continue working in any conditions, even when we barely had enough strength. But we have always found strength in you".
Under Russian law, any LGBTQ+ content or activity have been banned in the presence of minors since 2013. In late 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed legislation expanding the 2013 law to effectively outlaw any public expression of LGBTQ+ life in the country. And in 2023, Russia’s Supreme Court declared the international LGBT social movement an “extremist organization”.
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