A Russian politician has asked the country's attorney general to investigate Apple for distributing “gay propaganda” following the free distribution of U2 album Songs of Innocence
A Russian politician has asked the country's attorney general to investigate Apple for flouting “gay propaganda” laws following the free distribution of U2 album Songs of Innocence, reports The Guardian.
According to right wing Duma deputy Alexander Starovoitov, Apple spammed youths with illegal content when it released the album free of charge to more than 500 million iTunes customers worldwide last September.
The album cover features band member Larry Mullen Jr embracing his 18-year-old son, Elvis, shirtless. U2 have said the image is a visual metaphor for the theme of “how holding on to your own innocence is a lot harder than holding on to someone else's”.
However, Starovoitov said the cover promotes sex between men. Newspaper Izvestia has quoted lawyer Evgeny Tonky saying he is ready to sue Apple for compensation for moral damages on behalf of his son.
If convicted under Russia's gay propaganda law, Apple could be forced to cease operations there for 90 days or pay a fine of up to 1 million roubles ($20,000).
In March, Russia joined forces with Saudi Arabia, China, Iran, India, Egypt, Pakistan, and Syria in a failed attempt to prevent the UN extending benefits to all spouses of legally married gay UN staffers.
Listen to Songs of Innocence, AFTER THE JUMP…
