January 13, 2026

Sexual Anarchy, Too Much for the FSB


Sexual Anarchy, Too Much for the FSB
Just some normal Russian books, nothing to see here.  Yuliasis

On January 10, Mediazona revealed that a court in Zabaikalsky Krai (the region bordering Lake Baikal) fined a bookstore chain after the FSB found "sexual anarchism" in its books. The retailer was found guilty of spreading "LGBT propaganda" after two people filed a complaint about four books with the authorities.

On October 5 and 6, 2025, two unnamed customers bought four books from the Chitai-Gorod bookstore chain. By the end of the month, the two clients brought a complaint to their local FSB office, saying they found "signs of non-traditional sexual relations" in their novels. Officials received the volumes and the sales receipts from the complainants. On November 21, FSB officials raided the bookstore.  

The authorities conducted a linguistic analysis of the materials purchased by residents of the Transbaikal region. The results of the examination found that the books "challenge traditional notions of Russian family and society" and that their authors called for "the elimination of the traditional social value system and its replacement with sexual anarchism." Authorities conducted a "cultural analysis," where they found "a certain homosexual orientation" in the books.

An excerpt from the court decision reads: "The publications develop and present an alternative form of social organization, where individual values of non-traditional nature are extolled, and traditional morality is presented as a sign of a rigid society." According to the ruling, the books called for the elimination of state powers and societal hierarchies in every country. The court said, "the authors call for... sexual anarchism, in which individuals choose their own gender orientation at any point in their lives." 

A court in the city of Chita fined OOO Gramota, the parent company of Chitay-Gorod, R800,000 ($10,090) for "LGBT Propaganda." According to the website Postnews, the books the complainants denounced were "Beartown" and "Us against You" by the Swedish author Fredrik Backman, "Invisible Furies of the Heart" by John Boyne, and "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin.

You Might Also Like

Taxing Foreign Agents
  • January 04, 2026

Taxing Foreign Agents

As of the new year, registered foreign agents are liable for a high income tax rate.
A Thumbs Down, If You Could
  • January 12, 2026

A Thumbs Down, If You Could

Russian authorities have been pushing a "national messenger" app on citizens for a year. Now that it's out, many are avoiding it.
In Loo of Drones
  • December 28, 2025

In Loo of Drones

Russia's new head of drone warfare has no military background, but lots of experience in plumbing.
Party Like It's 1945
  • December 21, 2025

Party Like It's 1945

Moscow's Museum of Victory has created a temporary exhibition highlighting how the Russians of the Second World War celebrated New Year.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Bears in the Caviar
May 01, 2015

Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar is a hilarious and insightful memoir by a diplomat who was “present at the creation” of US-Soviet relations. Charles Thayer headed off to Russia in 1933, calculating that if he could just learn Russian and be on the spot when the US and USSR established relations, he could make himself indispensable and start a career in the foreign service. Remarkably, he pulled it of.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955