this post was submitted on 09 Feb 2026
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A Russian magazine editor claims his publisher demanded he censor a book that mentions homosexuality in animals because it violates the country’s “LGBT propaganda” law.

Viktor Kovylin, editor of the scientific journal Batrachospermum, wrote on Telegram that his publisher told him the descriptions of same-sex behavior in a book on animal sexual behavior were against the law because they did not express “disgust or criticism” for the acts.

“Apparently, neutral scientific descriptions of homosexual behavior, without disgust or criticism, now fall under the category of propaganda for non-traditional relationships!” Kovylin wrote on Telegram, according to a translation.

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[–] muusemuuse@sh.itjust.works 44 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Observing reality violates russian law.

[–] Avicenna@programming.dev 6 points 1 day ago

It is called the russian uncertainty principle. You can either observe the sexual behaviour of animals precisely or have precisely defined ideals but not both at the same time.

wanna bet a bunch of other countries are working on the same kind of "law"?

[–] affenlehrer@feddit.org 100 points 2 days ago (12 children)

Can someone explain to me why fascists are so obsessed with homosexuality and transgender topics?

[–] SkunkWorkz@lemmy.world 62 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Because tolerance requires open mindedness and critical thinking. Two things that undermine a fascists regime when the entire population does that. By banning homosexuality the regime basically tells the people that they shouldn’t think beyond their first gut reaction. It’s okay to hate, it’s okay that the police beats up your gay neighbor, it’s okay to not think about it, it’s okay to not think at all.

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[–] HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club 23 points 2 days ago

I feel like a lot of fascists try to bake in a lot of hierarchy as the natural order, that this is what nature intended.

Queer people end up being an example that the way nature is isn't as clearly defined as the fascists say it should be

[–] lechekaflan@lemmy.world 15 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Seems this is #12 in Umberto Eco's description of fascism and its hatred towards liberal progressivism:

Since both permanent war and heroism are difficult games to play, the Ur-Fascist transfers his will to power to sexual matters. This is the origin of machismo (which implies both disdain for women and intolerance and condemnation of nonstandard sexual habits, from chastity to homosexuality). Since even sex is a difficult game to play, the Ur-Fascist hero tends to play with weapons — doing so becomes an ersatz phallic exercise.

https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/umberto-eco-ur-fascism

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Gods I hate how real that is

[–] HurricaneLiz@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Umberto Eco knew wtf he was talking about, he's awesome

[–] ameancow@lemmy.world 11 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Most of fascism has always been rooted in male sexual insecurity, this has been studied over and over, and exploited over and over.

Steve Bannon wrote in depth about how his tactic for radicalizing the country was to send agents into games like World of Warcraft and other places where lonely, disaffected young men hang out a lot, guys who obviously don't have a lot of social experience because they're gaming, and get them to start blaming their lack of success and sex on immigrants, leftists, feminism and progressive ideas. They were doing this back when the internet was new and we all still thought "incels" were a passing, fringe trend not worth addressing.

Moot, the founder of 4chan met with Jeffrey Epstein a day before he made the board /pol, which became the central radicalizing hangout for, you guessed it, lonely male gamers and nerds who were ready to blame their feelings on women, people of color and progressives instead of you know... the fact that they have thousands of hours in Hearts of Iron IV and then spend their remaining time on /pol.

It's been a tactic for raising armies since the dawn of time. Get all the sexually frustrated young men together and say "THAT CASTLE OVER THERE IS WHY YOU GOT NO PUSSY, GO SACK 'EM" and it works amazingly well.

Also, they capitalize on sexual hangups to a massive degree, especially fear/attraction to men of other races. There's a reason why "interracial cuckolding" became a huuuuge popular category of porn at the same time when these guys were writing manifestos about how we need to bring back segregation so women don't "lose control" around black men and how we need to defend against "impurities in the bloodlines" and how other men's semen stays inside a woman and the potency of black male semen and other homoeroticism. It's an entire roleplay world that would be hilarious if it didn't turn into a huge movement.

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[–] justme@lemmy.dbzer0.com 20 points 2 days ago

It might be like with witches back in the day. If everybody hates witches, you can call any inconvenient person a witch and dispose them. The other thing is that it alignes with general backwards mentality.

[–] Infrapink@thebrainbin.org 15 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Fascism is a radically conservative ideology obsessed with promotion of (what the fascist sees as) traditional values and behaviours. That includes cisheteronormativity, as queerness isn't traditional anywhere.

[–] affenlehrer@feddit.org 10 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I think their view of traditions is also very selective. E.g. in Germany they prefer to connect with paganism and scandinavian things and not actual German / Christian traditions.

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

It depends. I can't speak to german neonazis, but the original ones had both the volkish paganism and positive Christianity. The former was an attempt to reconstruct pre Christian German religion, but the volkish movement was heavily built on just godawful archeology. The latter was a bastardization of Christianity in a way very similar to what you see in the US these days where the party and its line are core assumptions in interpretation of their Christianity.

That said, yeah the neonazis in America are also really into Norse paganism. I assume it's because of the volkish influence or the big tough manly guy parts, and them not noticing that Odin does magic (which is womanly) and Loki is out there giving birth and siring kids. We also have a fair bit of really progressive Norse pagans here. Idk why but it seems to be the primary reconstructed paganism in the country in my experience.

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[–] vga@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Given how western fascists (in some parts anyway) have mostly grown out of their obsession/hatred with homosexuality, it's probably entirely a cultural or a cynical populist thing. They say what they know people will like to hear, and also what they know other people will hate to hear. Anything to keep them in everyone's minds.

[–] supamanc@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'd say that the idolisation of a fictional, ideal which society should strive towards but never achieve, allows focusing of opposition. If it weren't for the gays/trans/gypsies/Muslims/immigrants/unemployed/trade unionists (delete as applicable) then society would be as it was used to be, which is always perfect and better than it is now. Of course as society will never be perfect, there must alway be a new group to blame for failure to meet the necessary ideal.

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[–] thedarkfly@feddit.org 4 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

OG fascism aimed that everyone participate in building the Nation. Women's role is supposed to be producing children, i.e., future soldiers and workers.

That's the same idea than Christianity. Homosexuality and contraception do not lead to babies, so they are vilified.

[–] Peruvian_Skies@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Fun fact, the Hebrews had a belief about gametes that was almost exactly backwards: they believed that men had a limited amount of viable sperm they could produce in their lifetime, while women had no such limitation. This is why the Old Testament condemns male masturbation and gay sex (they waste potential children) but stays silent on the female equivalents.

[–] bitwolf@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

My guess is that if you reproduce you're more easily manipulated because of the need to provide for and protect your child.

Bonus points for also introducing a fresh mind ripe for absorbing fascist indoctrination.

[–] FreshLight@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago

This right here!

[–] Theoriginalthon@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It's only my theory however; it's comes down to babys and education, if your population is making babys and lots of them at a young age, things like education and quality of life can suffer dues to having to support kids. Lack of education leads you to belie ving in propaganda more easily. Also lack of education makes you more likely to have kids younger and in less than ideal financial situation. More kids with less education, means it's easier to populate a military. Hopefully you get the idea and sweeping generalisations I've made. Now homosexuals and by proxy transgender don't produce children (ignoring adoption etc etc) so they aren't what the dictators want and they also might give the heterosexuals ideas about not have kids, or at least delaying it, getting and education etc etc. then add in a sprinkling of religion, also good to control uneducated masses, and you have the perfect population for dictator/fascist control

Tldr: they want an uneducated baby producing population

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[–] pleaseletmein@lemmy.zip 22 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Professional scientific journal: Here we see a pair of male penguins engaged in sexual behavior. They are icky.

[–] howrar@lemmy.ca 7 points 1 day ago

They are icky [1].

References

[1] That LGBT propaganda law

[–] L3mmyW1nks@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Yeah those are some dirty penguins!

[–] umbraroze@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 day ago

If they are demanding displays of contempt, they should make it mandatory for all articles.

"This article concerns birds. Disgusting. I still cannot believe how low the once mighty dinosaurs have fallen."

Or:

"This article concerns snakes. I'm sorry, but I refuse to take legless creatures seriously."

[–] GeneralVincent@lemmy.world 29 points 2 days ago (1 children)

"Male penguins may exhibit homosexual behavior. However, as the author, I would like to make it clear I would NEVER have gay sex with a male penguin. That's gross. I would only ever have sex with a woman penguin, as Putin would want."

[–] Fedizen@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago

"Penguins are part of a interspecies conspiracy to undermine traditional family values(tm), if you see a penguin, arrest it."

[–] Novaboros@lemmy.world 15 points 2 days ago (2 children)

TOTALLY NORMAL RESPONSE TO THR NATURAL WORLD I'm a Russian immigrant in Canada, I moved with my family when I was 8 Its fucking embarassing to see how the place of my origin is going backwards in time Some creatures are gay a.f. get the hell over it As this point in time, the more I see the government fighting against the "gay agenda" the more I think Putin is just repressed as hell and wants a boyfriend so bad, but he caaant so no one can either >:| Also; when I lived there, I had a crush on a girl, my sister is Bi and sometimes; my dad says very homo erotic things without noticing, pretty sure he's bi too Didn't need the west corrupting me to turn out queer >:3

I moved to the US from China when I was around 8, my family is so fucking backwards and ableist but luckily I didn't get born into the millions of other families that got stuck in China and their shitty abelism that discriminates against... check notes depression... like jesus christ.

If I were to dress up as a girl, I'm pretty sure my mom would disown me for being "mentally ill"

I know the US Government doesn't exactly have a great reputation, but the people are very progressive and more accepting of LgBT and more mental health aware than China is... in China they literally kicked out an accepted University student because they later discovered his autism diagnosis... jesus christ.

[–] SealofLove@leminal.space 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Hey, another Russian immigrant in Canada! I feel embarrassed as well. The West didn't turn me Bi, cute goth girls did. Although you can blame Xena a little bit.

[–] Quill7513@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 day ago

Xena and Sailor Moon coming out in the same time frame was crazy work

[–] TrickDacy@lemmy.world 21 points 2 days ago

This is exactly what conservatives want in America.

It's shocking that it's not 1950 with some of the news we have these days.

[–] phoenixz@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 day ago

Why -again- this obsessive need to know what people do with their peepees?

I am bi. Not that it matters, not that anyone needs to know, but I like more toys than you do, basically. Is that it? Jealousy? You want to play withy toys? I mean, I'd let you if you ask but... You know...

But alas, I know the answer, I know it's religion, and how it's always used to control the masses which mostly are simple minds.

I'm not trying to appear better, I'm not better than anyone else, but at least I'm an atheist and proud of it. Fuck your sick Bible stories and fuck your fairytale religions too.

[–] antonim@lemmy.dbzer0.com 33 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

his publisher told him the descriptions of same-sex behavior in a book on animal sexual behavior were against the law

So it wasn't legally or expressedly banned by the govt. But in authoritarian fear-based and legally unpredictable states it's not unusual for people to individually take rules even further than technically necessary, to affirm their adherence to the system and to be safe from even the smallest suspicion or most ridiculous accusation.

Might be worth noting that the publisher (Eksmo-AST) is one of the biggest book publishers in Russia.

[–] SlurpingPus@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

The author clarified in an update that this was a sort of a joke from him. The publisher used an AI for legal analysis of the translated book, and AI recommended censoring it, but the publisher didn't require any edits in this regard.

I'm also not sure how much of a ‘scientific magazine’ it is, because ‘Batrachospermum’ is a majorly shitposty name, but fitting for a Telegram channel, from where this info is sourced. They also have a site apparently.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 26 points 2 days ago (1 children)

"Penguins can be, and often are, homosexual. Gross."

Kremlin approved!

[–] foggy@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

No homo 🤠

[–] bappity@lemmy.world 14 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

This is an opportunity to maliciously comply with the minimum most sarcastic but not super obviously sarcastic disgust possible

facts facts, facts facts facts, ewwww this is yuckyyyyyy facts facts facts facts

[–] SabinStargem@lemmy.today 5 points 1 day ago

I am expecting malicious compliance. "That disgusting member, oozing with precious bodily fluids...thirty inches, that corkscrews deep into the warm depths of the..."

[–] Gsus4@mander.xyz 18 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

I'd rather have my kids/friends be gay than being sent to the frontlines to die like a bug for some demented fool.

I'd rather have a gay parade pass by my door every day than have crazy criminal conscripts with PTSD running around free in my neighbourhood.

You don't even have to be a liberal to recognize this.

[–] jaybone@lemmy.zip 8 points 2 days ago

I mean, a gay parade would be nice anyway, regardless.

[–] Formfiller@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

Old white men with power are weirdos who ruin everything

[–] FreddiesLantern@leminal.space 5 points 2 days ago

“Here we see a pair of penguins displaying homoerotic displays of sexuality and affection.

Filthy nasty behaviour, and so naughty too. Look at em, they indulge in it like it’s the best thing ever. I mean I know I would being a penguin and all…”

[–] vga@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

There just has to be some fun examples of them maliciously complying with this requirement. Or is that a risky thing to do there?

[–] FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Stories like this are why I chuckle at the "The only thing more powerful than hate is love" memes that are running rampant this morning.

It's like no one's looked out their window recently or ever cracked open a history book.

[–] _Nico198X_@europe.pub 1 points 1 day ago

so insane. XD imagine raging at reality this much. must be exhausting

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