Russia Bans Films ‘Call Me by Your Name,’ ‘Love, Simon,’ and ‘Kill Your Darlings’ Over LGBTQ Content A district court in St. Petersburg has banned three films: “Love, Simon,” “Kill Your Darlings,” and “Call Me by Your Name.” The court’s decision was based on the grounds that these films promote a ‘destructive ideology’ and seek to positively influence attitudes towards non-traditional sexual relationships. The banned films explore themes of homosexuality and the lives of prominent LGBTQ+ figures.

• St. Petersburg court banned “Love, Simon,” “Kill Your Darlings,” and “Call Me by Your Name.”
• The court cited ‘destructive ideology’ and promotion of ‘non-traditional sexual relationships’ as reasons for the ban.
• The films are accused of attempting to shift negative attitudes towards non-traditional relationships to positive ones.
• “Call Me by Your Name” is an Academy Award-winning film about a young man’s love affair.
• “Kill Your Darlings” dramatizes the lives of Beat Generation writers.
• “Love, Simon” follows a high school student hiding his homosexuality.