The organizers of sex-positive parties Kinky Party said that they would stop holding events in Moscow, as they received a warning from the authorities about their inadmissibility.
“We received a warning from government agencies about the impossibility of holding our parties in the previous format. Despite the fact that our events have always complied with the law and were aimed at creating a safe, respectful environment for free expression, we have received a warning that any events related to sex topics are not permitted,” the Kinky Party telegram channel reports.
Due to the warning (which agency sent it is not specified, they are usually sent by the prosecutor’s office), the Kinky Party team, for the safety of the guests, decided to cancel the eighth birthday celebration, which was supposed to take place on February 17.
“Whether the new norms are a temporary or permanent measure, we do not yet know. And now we, like you, need a pause to digest this information. We will return to you as soon as we think of alternative ways to give you an atmosphere of celebration and freedom,” said the party organizers. They added that for now they will continue to hold events in Georgia.
“We accept everything that is legal and urge you to respect other people's identity and boundaries, other people's choices and the personality of everyone. We prohibit everything that is not permitted by the laws of the Russian Federation,” says the Kinky Party website. The guide emphasizes that “any violent actions are against the rules of the party.”
Earlier, the organizers of techno parties Popoff Kitchen reported that they were stopping work in Russia due to the inability to ensure the safety of visitors “in the current Russian realities.”
In December, police raided the Yekaterinburg gay club Fame, and later disrupted an erotic party at the local Factory as part of a “preventive raid.” Police officers with dogs also came to the St. Petersburg MOD. Raids also took place in three Moscow gay clubs. In February, a protocol was drawn up against the Krasnoyarsk queer bar Elton, which had also been visited by security forces before, for “LGBT propaganda” (Part 1 of Article 6.21 of the Administrative Code).
“You can continue to fuck.” A story about a police visit to a Moscow gay club