Russian anti-gay group bans screening of K-pop band BTS film

A Russian anti-gay group has banned the screening of a documentary about the K-pop band BTS.

The Korean band, also known as the Bangtan Boys, had campaigned to get their film BTS World Tour: Love Yourself shown across Russia.

The documentary was due to be aired at a cinema in the city of Makhachkala in Dagestan, in the North Caucasus region of the country.

Although the theatre began to sell tickets on 20 December, members of an anti-gay group began to protest the film on social media.

One person warned the film was about “seven Korean homosexuals”, according to local news organisation Md-gazeta.ru.

“Urgently repeal debauchery,” another added.

The cinema cancelled the premiere after the outcry, which was due to take place on 26 January.

None of the band openly identify as LGBT+ (Wiki Commons)

None of the seven members of the band openly identify as LGBT+.

LGBT+ bands in Russia

Earlier this year, the queer Russian pop band SADO OPERA, who now live in Berlin, spoke to Pink News about the realities of life in Russia.

Colonel and Katya began their music careers in Russia, where they regularly faced police harassment for wearing make-up and had their concert posters defaced in the street.