The Russian government may be moving to ban a coloring book in advance of the Sochi Olympics. We believe that the book in question talks about how same-sex couples are discriminated against in Russia, and are even beaten. It is interesting that the pro-Kremlin Izvestia makes no specific mention of the book in question, however, possibly so that they cannot be accused of spreading “gay propaganda.” Below is another picture from the book and is not part of the Izvestia article. – Ed.
Aleksei Zhuravlyov, a deputy of the State Duma from United Russia, who is also head of the non-parliamentary party Rodina [Motherland], has sent a written appeal to Aleksandr Zharov, head of Roskomnadzor [the state agency for oversight of communications], requesting inspection and halting of possible “sabotage” regarding propaganda of same-sex relations among children at the Sochi Olympics. The document contains the address of an Internet site where information is freely posted which Zhurvlyov considers to be in violation of the law.
At the address indicated, there is a presentation of a child’s coloring book whose illustrations unambiguously represent same-sex relations among persons coming to the Olympic Games, the deputy believes. Moreover, judging from the text preceding the illustrations, the authors of the coloring book plan to disseminate 10,000 copies among children visiting the Games.
“I asked Roskomnadzor to conduct an analysis of the materials indicated and in the event my concerns are confirmed, to take measures regarding the disseminators of the coloring book, and to restrict children’s access to this veiled manual on same-sex love,” Zhuravlyov told Izvestiya.