Russia bans Warwick Rowers naked calendar
Russian authorities have banned the Warwick Rowers naked calendar, which raises funds for LGBT causes.
Customs officials seized the calendars at on entering Russia and returned them to the UK.
The move means Russian fans of the charity calendar, which has been running since 2009, will be unable to get their hands on the 2018 edition.
Warwick Rowers founder and LBGT campaigner Angus Malcolm condemned the Russian authorities decision to reject the calendar.
He told PinkNews: “My heart goes out to the Rowers’ Russian fans, who are increasingly subjected to acts of hatred and discrimination that shouldn’t be tolerated in any society anywhere across the globe.
“The fact Russian customs rejected our calendar is nothing compared to the suffering some LGBT+ people face every day, but it acts as a signifier of the wider problem.
“If they can’t cope with a few naked bums, then frankly that’s quite sad.”
Russia banned any public representation of non-heteronormative behaviour and relationships five years ago.
Hate crimes against LGBT Russians have doubled since the ‘anti-gay propaganda’ law was introduced, according to new figures.
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Last year the calendar raised a six figure sum to fund Sports Allies, a charity which works to eradicate homophobia in sport.
And while the calendar is no longer available in Russia, it does sell in more than 80 other countries around the world.
The campaign even counts Sir Ian McKellen, Kylie Minogue and Kris Jenner among its fans.
Watch the making of the calendar:
You can find out more about the Warwick Rowers calendar here.
