In St. Petersburg, Quince TV faced a substantial penalty after authorities labeled the video So Beautiful by Sergei Lazarev as LGBT material. The decision came from the Vyborg district court, with details reported by the unified press service of St. Petersburg courts.
Ro™skomnadzor described the case as presenting distinctive personal traits such as hair, fingernail shapes, manicure, and jewelry that could lead viewers to perceive two different people of the same sex. This interpretation plays a central role in how the material is categorized under existing rules.
The court concluded that such messaging might convey the idea that non-traditional sexual relationships differ not only from heterosexual norms but also, in some eyes, are acceptable and equal in value to a union between a man and a woman. This rationale was cited as the basis for the ruling.
Sergei Lazarev released the video So Beautiful in 2017. A national law restricting LGBT propaganda among all age groups in Russia took effect on December 5, 2022.
Roskomnadzor reported issuing 47 administrative protocols in 2023 against audiovisual services for showing LGBT content to audiences. The agency maintains that such material is intended to shape public perception and social norms.
Earlier, public statements highlighted the earnings potential of Russian artists for corporate events, noting the high rates some performers command in commercial settings.