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A Russian magazine editor claims his publisher demanded he censor a book that mentions homosexuality in animals because it violates the country’s “LGBT propaganda” law.

Viktor Kovylin, editor of the scientific journal Batrachospermum, wrote on Telegram that his publisher told him the descriptions of same-sex behavior in a book on animal sexual behavior were against the law because they did not express “disgust or criticism” for the acts.

“Apparently, neutral scientific descriptions of homosexual behavior, without disgust or criticism, now fall under the category of propaganda for non-traditional relationships!” Kovylin wrote on Telegram, according to a translation.

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[-] affenlehrer@feddit.org 99 points 2 weeks ago

Can someone explain to me why fascists are so obsessed with homosexuality and transgender topics?

[-] SkunkWorkz@lemmy.world 61 points 2 weeks ago

Because tolerance requires open mindedness and critical thinking. Two things that undermine a fascists regime when the entire population does that. By banning homosexuality the regime basically tells the people that they shouldn’t think beyond their first gut reaction. It’s okay to hate, it’s okay that the police beats up your gay neighbor, it’s okay to not think about it, it’s okay to not think at all.

[-] affenlehrer@feddit.org 2 points 2 weeks ago

Hm, I'm not sure. Fascists also sometimes also like their audience to "think differently", e.g. disregard science, "wake up" and see the truth and or connect themselves with veganism and nature.

[-] SkunkWorkz@lemmy.world 12 points 2 weeks ago

Yeah but they still need to forgo critical thinking. They should only think what Big Brother wants them to think, since publicly criticizing that neo paganism ideology would mean you get a visit from the secret police.

[-] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago

Fascism is syncretic hate. Both things can be and are true. To the hippies they sell the idea of returning to the land and living in harmony with nature (by opposing modern life and the tolerance it encourages), while to the social conservative it proposes either an idealized past or future before or after modern "degeneracy".

It's just a bunch of appeals to emotions where people are trained to ignore most of what is said and only listen to what resonates with them. Eventually they must act, but even that isn't a clean organized thing, it's leadership doing what resonated with them.

[-] HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club 23 points 2 weeks ago

I feel like a lot of fascists try to bake in a lot of hierarchy as the natural order, that this is what nature intended.

Queer people end up being an example that the way nature is isn't as clearly defined as the fascists say it should be

[-] justme@lemmy.dbzer0.com 20 points 2 weeks ago

It might be like with witches back in the day. If everybody hates witches, you can call any inconvenient person a witch and dispose them. The other thing is that it alignes with general backwards mentality.

[-] lechekaflan@lemmy.world 15 points 2 weeks ago

Seems this is #12 in Umberto Eco's description of fascism and its hatred towards liberal progressivism:

Since both permanent war and heroism are difficult games to play, the Ur-Fascist transfers his will to power to sexual matters. This is the origin of machismo (which implies both disdain for women and intolerance and condemnation of nonstandard sexual habits, from chastity to homosexuality). Since even sex is a difficult game to play, the Ur-Fascist hero tends to play with weapons — doing so becomes an ersatz phallic exercise.

https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/umberto-eco-ur-fascism

[-] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Gods I hate how real that is

[-] HurricaneLiz@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Umberto Eco knew wtf he was talking about, he's awesome

[-] Infrapink@thebrainbin.org 14 points 2 weeks ago

Fascism is a radically conservative ideology obsessed with promotion of (what the fascist sees as) traditional values and behaviours. That includes cisheteronormativity, as queerness isn't traditional anywhere.

[-] affenlehrer@feddit.org 10 points 2 weeks ago

I think their view of traditions is also very selective. E.g. in Germany they prefer to connect with paganism and scandinavian things and not actual German / Christian traditions.

[-] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

It depends. I can't speak to german neonazis, but the original ones had both the volkish paganism and positive Christianity. The former was an attempt to reconstruct pre Christian German religion, but the volkish movement was heavily built on just godawful archeology. The latter was a bastardization of Christianity in a way very similar to what you see in the US these days where the party and its line are core assumptions in interpretation of their Christianity.

That said, yeah the neonazis in America are also really into Norse paganism. I assume it's because of the volkish influence or the big tough manly guy parts, and them not noticing that Odin does magic (which is womanly) and Loki is out there giving birth and siring kids. We also have a fair bit of really progressive Norse pagans here. Idk why but it seems to be the primary reconstructed paganism in the country in my experience.

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[-] ameancow@lemmy.world 12 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Most of fascism has always been rooted in male sexual insecurity, this has been studied over and over, and exploited over and over.

Steve Bannon wrote in depth about how his tactic for radicalizing the country was to send agents into games like World of Warcraft and other places where lonely, disaffected young men hang out a lot, guys who obviously don't have a lot of social experience because they're gaming, and get them to start blaming their lack of success and sex on immigrants, leftists, feminism and progressive ideas. They were doing this back when the internet was new and we all still thought "incels" were a passing, fringe trend not worth addressing.

Moot, the founder of 4chan met with Jeffrey Epstein a day before he made the board /pol, which became the central radicalizing hangout for, you guessed it, lonely male gamers and nerds who were ready to blame their feelings on women, people of color and progressives instead of you know... the fact that they have thousands of hours in Hearts of Iron IV and then spend their remaining time on /pol.

It's been a tactic for raising armies since the dawn of time. Get all the sexually frustrated young men together and say "THAT CASTLE OVER THERE IS WHY YOU GOT NO PUSSY, GO SACK 'EM" and it works amazingly well.

Also, they capitalize on sexual hangups to a massive degree, especially fear/attraction to men of other races. There's a reason why "interracial cuckolding" became a huuuuge popular category of porn at the same time when these guys were writing manifestos about how we need to bring back segregation so women don't "lose control" around black men and how we need to defend against "impurities in the bloodlines" and how other men's semen stays inside a woman and the potency of black male semen and other homoeroticism. It's an entire roleplay world that would be hilarious if it didn't turn into a huge movement.

[-] affenlehrer@feddit.org 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Quite interesting. I have to admit I was a long time incel myself and at the time these ideas would've resonated with me as well. Not hate on gay and trans people but on immigrants since they seemed to be more successful with women than me.

[-] supamanc@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago

I'd say that the idolisation of a fictional, ideal which society should strive towards but never achieve, allows focusing of opposition. If it weren't for the gays/trans/gypsies/Muslims/immigrants/unemployed/trade unionists (delete as applicable) then society would be as it was used to be, which is always perfect and better than it is now. Of course as society will never be perfect, there must alway be a new group to blame for failure to meet the necessary ideal.

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[-] Theoriginalthon@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago

It's only my theory however; it's comes down to babys and education, if your population is making babys and lots of them at a young age, things like education and quality of life can suffer dues to having to support kids. Lack of education leads you to belie ving in propaganda more easily. Also lack of education makes you more likely to have kids younger and in less than ideal financial situation. More kids with less education, means it's easier to populate a military. Hopefully you get the idea and sweeping generalisations I've made. Now homosexuals and by proxy transgender don't produce children (ignoring adoption etc etc) so they aren't what the dictators want and they also might give the heterosexuals ideas about not have kids, or at least delaying it, getting and education etc etc. then add in a sprinkling of religion, also good to control uneducated masses, and you have the perfect population for dictator/fascist control

Tldr: they want an uneducated baby producing population

[-] affenlehrer@feddit.org 2 points 2 weeks ago

Sounds plausible but it also a very "long" game, taking at least one additional generation into their teenage years. I guess there are some of them thinking on that level but I have the feeling that the average fascist doesn't plan ahead very far or at has at least a very distorted time perception (e.g. they feel like the white "race" being replaced fearmongering is an urgent topic).

[-] bitwolf@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 weeks ago

My guess is that if you reproduce you're more easily manipulated because of the need to provide for and protect your child.

Bonus points for also introducing a fresh mind ripe for absorbing fascist indoctrination.

[-] FreshLight@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 weeks ago

This right here!

[-] thedarkfly@feddit.org 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

OG fascism aimed that everyone participate in building the Nation. Women's role is supposed to be producing children, i.e., future soldiers and workers.

That's the same idea than Christianity. Homosexuality and contraception do not lead to babies, so they are vilified.

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[-] muusemuuse@sh.itjust.works 41 points 2 weeks ago

Observing reality violates russian law.

[-] Avicenna@programming.dev 6 points 2 weeks ago

It is called the russian uncertainty principle. You can either observe the sexual behaviour of animals precisely or have precisely defined ideals but not both at the same time.

[-] raspberriesareyummy@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago

wanna bet a bunch of other countries are working on the same kind of "law"?

[-] antonim@lemmy.dbzer0.com 34 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

his publisher told him the descriptions of same-sex behavior in a book on animal sexual behavior were against the law

So it wasn't legally or expressedly banned by the govt. But in authoritarian fear-based and legally unpredictable states it's not unusual for people to individually take rules even further than technically necessary, to affirm their adherence to the system and to be safe from even the smallest suspicion or most ridiculous accusation.

Might be worth noting that the publisher (Eksmo-AST) is one of the biggest book publishers in Russia.

[-] SlurpingPus@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

The author clarified in an update that this was a sort of a joke from him. The publisher used an AI for legal analysis of the translated book, and AI recommended censoring it, but the publisher didn't require any edits in this regard.

I'm also not sure how much of a ‘scientific magazine’ it is, because ‘Batrachospermum’ is a majorly shitposty name, but fitting for a Telegram channel, from where this info is sourced. They also have a site apparently.

[-] GeneralVincent@lemmy.world 28 points 2 weeks ago

"Male penguins may exhibit homosexual behavior. However, as the author, I would like to make it clear I would NEVER have gay sex with a male penguin. That's gross. I would only ever have sex with a woman penguin, as Putin would want."

[-] Fedizen@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago

"Penguins are part of a interspecies conspiracy to undermine traditional family values(tm), if you see a penguin, arrest it."

[-] TrickDacy@lemmy.world 22 points 2 weeks ago

This is exactly what conservatives want in America.

It's shocking that it's not 1950 with some of the news we have these days.

[-] pleaseletmein@lemmy.zip 21 points 2 weeks ago

Professional scientific journal: Here we see a pair of male penguins engaged in sexual behavior. They are icky.

[-] howrar@lemmy.ca 7 points 2 weeks ago

They are icky [1].

References

[1] That LGBT propaganda law

[-] L3mmyW1nks@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Yeah those are some dirty penguins!

[-] Gsus4@mander.xyz 17 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I'd rather have my kids/friends be gay than being sent to the frontlines to die like a bug for some demented fool.

I'd rather have a gay parade pass by my door every day than have crazy criminal conscripts with PTSD running around free in my neighbourhood.

You don't even have to be a liberal to recognize this.

[-] jaybone@lemmy.zip 7 points 2 weeks ago

I mean, a gay parade would be nice anyway, regardless.

[-] Novaboros@lemmy.world 14 points 2 weeks ago

TOTALLY NORMAL RESPONSE TO THR NATURAL WORLD I'm a Russian immigrant in Canada, I moved with my family when I was 8 Its fucking embarassing to see how the place of my origin is going backwards in time Some creatures are gay a.f. get the hell over it As this point in time, the more I see the government fighting against the "gay agenda" the more I think Putin is just repressed as hell and wants a boyfriend so bad, but he caaant so no one can either >:| Also; when I lived there, I had a crush on a girl, my sister is Bi and sometimes; my dad says very homo erotic things without noticing, pretty sure he's bi too Didn't need the west corrupting me to turn out queer >:3

[-] SealofLove@leminal.space 5 points 2 weeks ago

Hey, another Russian immigrant in Canada! I feel embarrassed as well. The West didn't turn me Bi, cute goth girls did. Although you can blame Xena a little bit.

[-] Quill7513@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 weeks ago

Xena and Sailor Moon coming out in the same time frame was crazy work

[-] DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 weeks ago

I moved to the US from China when I was around 8, my family is so fucking backwards and ableist but luckily I didn't get born into the millions of other families that got stuck in China and their shitty abelism that discriminates against... check notes depression... like jesus christ.

If I were to dress up as a girl, I'm pretty sure my mom would disown me for being "mentally ill"

I know the US Government doesn't exactly have a great reputation, but the people are very progressive and more accepting of LgBT and more mental health aware than China is... in China they literally kicked out an accepted University student because they later discovered his autism diagnosis... jesus christ.

[-] bappity@lemmy.world 13 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

This is an opportunity to maliciously comply with the minimum most sarcastic but not super obviously sarcastic disgust possible

facts facts, facts facts facts, ewwww this is yuckyyyyyy facts facts facts facts

[-] FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Stories like this are why I chuckle at the "The only thing more powerful than hate is love" memes that are running rampant this morning.

It's like no one's looked out their window recently or ever cracked open a history book.

[-] FreddiesLantern@leminal.space 5 points 2 weeks ago

“Here we see a pair of penguins displaying homoerotic displays of sexuality and affection.

Filthy nasty behaviour, and so naughty too. Look at em, they indulge in it like it’s the best thing ever. I mean I know I would being a penguin and all…”

[-] SabinStargem@lemmy.today 5 points 2 weeks ago

I am expecting malicious compliance. "That disgusting member, oozing with precious bodily fluids...thirty inches, that corkscrews deep into the warm depths of the..."

[-] Formfiller@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

Old white men with power are weirdos who ruin everything

[-] umbraroze@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 weeks ago

If they are demanding displays of contempt, they should make it mandatory for all articles.

"This article concerns birds. Disgusting. I still cannot believe how low the once mighty dinosaurs have fallen."

Or:

"This article concerns snakes. I'm sorry, but I refuse to take legless creatures seriously."

[-] PalmTreeIsBestTree@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

This spits on all those dumb penguin edits lol

[-] NutWrench@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Penguins always do it for fun.

That's because they are not catholic.

[-] Sunflier@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

they are not catholic.

Neither are the Russians. They're Eastern Orthodox.

[-] SreudianFlip@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and the Roman church are all catholic, I have been told by a seminarian, but two of them are not roman catholic.

[-] Fedizen@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

Adding the russian word for "Gross!" whenever I describe observations that are illegal.

[-] _Nico198X_@europe.pub 1 points 2 weeks ago

so insane. XD imagine raging at reality this much. must be exhausting

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this post was submitted on 09 Feb 2026
528 points (100.0% liked)

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