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Russia could ban same-sex emoji under 'gay propaganda' laws
Source: The Guardian
Russia could ban same-sex emoji under 'gay propaganda' laws
Chris Johnston
Saturday 1 August 2015 16.48 BST
Not content with making the country one of the most homophobic places on the planet, Russian authorities are now taking aim at “gay emojis”.
According to Izvestia newspaper, the country’s media regulator could ban the characters from social media if an investigation finds they contravene laws intended to prevent gay “propaganda”.
The investigation was started following a complaint made by Russian senator Mikhail Marchenko of the far-right Liberal Democratic Party.
He claims that emojis depicting same-sex couples violate a controversial 2013 law that prohibits the “promotion” of non-heterosexual relationships.
It is not clear how Russia might enact such a ban given the widespread use of emojis across a variety of social media platforms.
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Chris Johnston
Saturday 1 August 2015 16.48 BST
Not content with making the country one of the most homophobic places on the planet, Russian authorities are now taking aim at “gay emojis”.
According to Izvestia newspaper, the country’s media regulator could ban the characters from social media if an investigation finds they contravene laws intended to prevent gay “propaganda”.
The investigation was started following a complaint made by Russian senator Mikhail Marchenko of the far-right Liberal Democratic Party.
He claims that emojis depicting same-sex couples violate a controversial 2013 law that prohibits the “promotion” of non-heterosexual relationships.
It is not clear how Russia might enact such a ban given the widespread use of emojis across a variety of social media platforms.
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Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/01/russia-could-ban-same-sex-emojis-for-promoting
3 replies
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If I had seen these minus context, the last thing I'd think is "gay".
Maybe it's obvious to young imoji users?
My analysis is the Russian government wants to prove they are tough on gay propaganda, but there really isn't much produced in their jurisdiction.
Way to go, tough guy.
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... and do not wax! 
