See what outfits were ruled unsuitable as Russian cops raided nightclub and fined revellers for ‘looking too gay’

Russia has fined nightclubbers wearing military uniforms and helmets because they “look too gay.”

At least seven people have been fined following a police raid on a nightclub in Tula in February, according to court documents seen by independent Russian media outlet Verstka.

Videos of the operation show men in military uniforms and helmets detaining at least eight people Telegraph reports.

They were reportedly hit with accusations of ‘trying to arouse interest in non-traditional sexual relations’, which has been banned in Russia for a decade.

Typically, this charge is directed at those who publish pro-LGBT material, rather than those who wear “unmanly” clothing.

The detainees were reportedly wearing clothing that police suspected promoted “non-traditional sexual relations,” Verstka said.

One man reportedly wore “crosses of black tape stuck to his nipples” and a “lady’s corset” on his “naked” body, while another with “bright orange” hair and “red tattoos on his face” wore “pink socks” . as well as ‘an unbuttoned kimono’.

The arrests come as the Kremlin continues to step up its crackdown on LGBTI people in its bid to promote “traditional values”, including a ban on ‘propaganda to promote a child-free lifestyle’.

According to Verstka, the detainees were reportedly wearing clothing that police suspected promoted “non-traditional sexual relations.”

Another description of those arrested in the raid said there was a man wearing a crop top, black leather shorts and fishnet tights.

Judges ruled that the detainees’ clothing promoted a “non-traditional” sexual lifestyle and that their appearance “contradicted the image of a man with a traditional sexual orientation,” Verstka reports.

While eight people were detained, only seven were fined. The eight, a male bartender, avoided a fine after claiming he was goth, saying this was the reason he had eyebrow piercings, turquoise-dyed hair and wore a black T-shirt. shirt that was reportedly rolled up to his chest.

According to Verstka, not all court decisions have been made public, but the newspaper reported that two detainees were fined £350 (50,000 rubles).

This is not the only time Russian authorities arrested partygoers. In November, police reportedly raided several bars and nightclubs in Moscow, under laws criminalizing “LGBT propaganda.”

The decade-old law under which the partygoers were punished is often referred to as Russia’s “anti-gay law.”

Initially, it only banned the spread of “LGBT propaganda” among minors, but was expanded in 2022 to include the promotion of “non-traditional lifestyles.”

As part of his “traditional” push, Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured) even signed a decree last August that makes it easier for foreigners to apply for residence permits if they share Russia’s traditional values.

The law has been used to punish people for ‘transgressions’, from sharing rainbow flags on social media to publicly admitting to sexual activity with minors.

According to Verstka, at least 131 cases of ‘LGBT propaganda’ were brought to court in Russia in 2024.

Of those, at least 71 people received fines ranging from £350 (50,000 rubles) to £1,400 (200,000 rubles).

As part of his “traditional” push, Russian President Vladimir Putin even signed a decree last August that makes it easier for foreigners to apply for residence permits if they share traditional Russian values.