Clownworld Comes to Russia

A court in Novgorod Oblast fined resident Georgi Rezankov R1500 (less than $20) for using a specific meme on his VKontakte, declaring it "extremist" and for being a "symbol of the international LGBT public movement."

The meme in question? Clown Pepe, also known as "Honkler," a frog with a rainbow wig and clown nose. Apparently, it was the headpiece that tipped off authorities.

Ironically, as any well-traveled netizen could tell you, the use of Honkler is completely unrelated to the LGBT movement. Instead, he represents an enthusiastic and nihilistic embrace of the absurdity of modern life and current events, interpreting the universe as a cosmic joke. Often, images of Honkler are accompanied with references to "Clownworld," implying that the world is an inherently silly place.

One might respond with a Clown Pepe to ridiculous news items, such as schools getting immersive VR war experiences, an oligarch's impounded superyacht costing the U.S. millions in upkeep, or Putin's inner circle hiring escorts under the pretense of civil service but instead lavishing them with publicly-funded gifts.

Or, indeed, a not-meme-wise Russian court punishing a man for "LGBT propaganda" because they don't understand a meme.

Honkler was posted on Rezankov's page in 2020, four years before the "international LGBT movement" was declared an "extremist organization."