Man deported from Russia after ‘lovely little skirt’ review deemed ‘LGBT propaganda’
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A man in Russia has reportedly been ordered to be deported after authorities treated his positive online review of a leather miniskirt as LGBTQ+ “propaganda”, under the country’s restrictions on so-called “non-traditional” content.
The man is said to have posted the review on Wildberries in September 2025, writing: “What a lovely little skirt! It hides not just the flaws in my figure, but also the fact that I’m a guy”. The review reportedly included photographs.
He was reportedly arrested after Russia’s anti-extremism authorities picked up the post in April 2026 and submitted an inspection report “of the Internet resource… with attached screenshots of the website pages and a video recording”, according to court documents, reported by Mediazona.
A statement attributed to the Tula court said: “[The man] committed propaganda of non-traditional sexual preferences by disseminating information aimed at forming non-traditional sexual attitudes… namely photographs demonstrating his appearance, being dressed in women’s clothing”. It added: “[The man] admitted guilt… and confirmed the publication of photographs and comments promoting non-traditional sexual preferences.”
Court orders arrest and deportation
A judge said “forced deportation from Russia [is] the only possible way to achieve the goals of administrative punishment.”
In remarks also attributed to the judge, the ruling referenced “family values”, stating: “Family, motherhood, and childhood, in their traditional, ancestral understanding, represent the values that ensure the continuous succession of generations”.
The judge added: “Taking into account the above circumstances… I believe it is appropriate to sentence him to administrative arrest… followed by forced administrative deportation from Russia”. Adding: “This type of punishment is most effectively aimed at achieving the goals of restoring social justice, correcting the offender, and preventing him from committing further illegal acts”.
Russia’s ‘propaganda’ crackdown
In 2022, Vladimir Putin’s government expanded restrictions relating to LGBTQ+ expression, described as making it illegal to promote what authorities view as “non-traditional sexual relations”.
In Russia, “LGBT propaganda” laws have been used to target public expressions of queer identity and gender nonconformity, including online content. Administrative deportation can be used against non-citizens following administrative offences.
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