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Police in Moscow have been called to investigate LGBTQ+ ‘propaganda’ at an event dedicated to My Little Pony.
Organisers of the Mi Amore convention was forced to close the event down on Saturday after police arrived at the event in the Russian capital.
In a statement on Russian social media site VK, the organisers said: ‘The police received a complaint claiming that our event promoted non-traditional relationships and related symbols, adult content for minors, and general horror and darkness.
‘Two police checks did not uphold these complaints.’
At first officers asked them to close the event a few hours earlier than planned, but the organisers then shut the event down even earlier after hearing unconfirmed reports that more officers were making their way to the venue.
Organisers and volunteers were able to leave the venue without incident.
The convention features an animated horse with a mane styled in the colours of the Russian flag as its logo, and caters to My Little Pony’s adult fans and planned to feature live music as well as stalls selling merchandise.
Although it is aimed at children and focused on the magical power of friendship, My Little Pony has previously prompted anxiety in Russia, with some fearing it show could run afoul of the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
The cartoon has a large adult fan base across the globe.
Russian movie database Kinopoisk changed its rating for the animated series to an 18+ in December 2023, not long after a Russian court declared the ‘global LGBTQ+ movement’ to be an extremist organisation.
Although no reason was given for the change, viewers speculated that the decision could be linked to the character Rainbow Dash, whose multi-coloured mane and tail are similar to the LGBTQ+ pride flag. The show also released an episode that featured a same-sex couple in 2019.
The Russian Supreme Court banned what the government called the LGBTQ+ ‘movement’ in Russia in November 2023, labelling it an extremist organisation.
The ruling was part of a crackdown on LGBTQ+ people in the increasingly conservative country where ‘traditional family values’ have become a cornerstone of President Vladimir Putin’s 24-year rule.
Russian laws prohibit public displays of symbols of extremist organisations, and at least three people who displayed rainbow-coloured items have received prison sentences or fines since the ruling.
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