A judge in Russia has ruled that a man “committed propaganda of non-traditional sexual preferences” and is set to be deported for simply leaving a positive review for a faux leather skirt that he purchased online.
Gulomova Islomzhona Numonzhon was found guilty of posting “information aimed at forming non-traditional sexual attitudes, the attractiveness of non-traditional sexual relations, a distorted idea of the social equivalence of traditional and non-traditional sexual relations and preferences.” He was reportedly arrested in April 2026 after Russia’s anti-extremism authorities picked up the post he made in September 2025 on a faux leather skirt sold on the e-commerce site Wildberries. An inspection report was submitted “of the internet resource… with attached screenshots of the website pages and a video recording.” According to the court ruling, he uploaded photos of himself wearing the skirt and wrote, “What a lovely little skirt! It hides not just the flaws in my figure, but also the fact that I’m a guy.”
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.”
According to court documents, Gulomova is a foreign national. His country of origin was redacted. Despite a desperate request to remain in Russia, the judge presiding over the case was unmoved and confirmed that Gulomov would be deported, citing a protection of “family values” as his reason for the ruling.
The law “obliges the state authorities of the Russian Federation to take measures to protect children from information, propaganda and agitation that is harmful to their health, moral and spiritual development, including from information of a pornographic nature, from information that promotes or demonstrates non-traditional sexual relations and (or) preferences, from information that promotes pedophilia, from information that can cause children to want to change their gender,” the judge wrote. “Family, motherhood, and childhood, in their traditional, ancestral understanding, represent the values that ensure the continuous succession of generations and serve as a prerequisite for the preservation and development of the multinational people of the Russian Federation, and therefore require special protection from the state.”
This ruling stems from Russia’s harsh anti LGBTQIA+ laws, part of a broader ideological crackdown under Vladimir Putin, framed as protecting “traditional family values” against Western influence. The initial “Propaganda” Law was passed in 2013 and focused on banning the “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” to minors, effectively making it illegal to state that LGBTQ+ relationships are normal.
This law was followed by the Expanded “Propaganda” Ban passed in December 2022, which expanded previous bans to prohibit any public expression or “propaganda” of LGBTQ+ relationships, regardless of age. This law restricts books, films, and online content, aiming to enforce traditional values. In addition, the Anti-Gender Transition Law, passed in 2023, outlaws legal or medical gender changes for transgender individuals in Russia.
This legislation is used to suppress activist groups, leading to the closure of organizations and arrests during public actions. There are many consequences that affect people who aren’t publicly protesting as well. The laws have increased stigma, resulting in a surge of hate crimes, public harassment, and fear among the LGBTQ+ community, forcing many to leave the country.
Sources:
Easton, Edward. “Bloke Deported from Russia for Leaving Online Review for “Lovely Little Skirt.”” Daily Star, 8 May 2026, www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/bloke-deported-russia-leaving-online-37121906. Accessed 11 May 2026.
Human Rights Watch. “Russia: Supreme Court Bans “LGBT Movement” as “Extremist.”” Human Rights Watch, 30 Nov. 2023, www.hrw.org/news/2023/11/30/russia-supreme-court-bans-lgbt-movement-extremist.
Novaya Gazeta Europe. “Russian Court Orders Man’s Deportation over Online Review of Leather Skirt.” Novaya Gazeta Europe, May 2026, novayagazeta.eu/en/articles/2026/05/01/russian-court-orders-mans-deportation-over-online-review-of-leather-skirt-news. Accessed 11 May 2026.
Owen, Greg. “Russia Deports Man over His Rave Review of a Mini Skirt – LGBTQ Nation.” LGBTQ Nation, 8 May 2026, www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/russia-deports-man-over-his-rave-review-of-a-mini-skirt/. Accessed 11 May 2026.
“Russia’s Anti-Gay “Propaganda Law” Assault on Freedom of Expression.” Www.amnesty.org, www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2013/01/russia-anti-gay-propaganda-law-assault-on-freedom-expression/.
Wetherill, Jack. “Man Deported from Russia after “Lovely Little Skirt” Review Deemed “LGBT Propaganda.”” PinkNews | Latest Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans News | LGBTQ+ News, 8 May 2026, www.thepinknews.com/2026/05/08/russia-skirt-review-deportation-lgbt-propaganda/. Accessed 11 May 2026.
Wikipedia Contributors. “Russian Anti-LGBTQ Law.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Mar. 2025.
