Authorities in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Far East Russia, have charged Yulia Tsvetkova (26) with distributing “gay propaganda” to minors.  The theatre artists and director of the children and youth theatre “Merak” is a feminist and LGBT activist. She was running a social media page called “Vagina Monologues” (related to the play by US author Eve Ensler), which encourages people to share artistic depictions of vaginas in order to “remove the taboo” around menstruation and the anatomy of the vagina. In March she organized a children and youth theatre festival “Blue and Pink”, focusing on gender stereotypes.  The festival was banned by the city authorities and Yulia Tsvetkova was interrogated for four hours.

Russia banned by law “propaganda of homosexuality toward minors” in 2013. Tsvetkova’s trial is set for Dec. 9. If she found guilty she could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. More than 10,000 people have signed a petition on change.org expressing support for Tsvetkova.

Sources: Hand of Moscow, The Moscow Times, Pink News