The State Duma did not see propaganda of non-traditional values in Vladimir Nabokov's book "Lolita". Deputy Tatyana Butskaya said that the book is not propaganda, because "hardly anyone wants to repeat the story of Lolita."
“Everyone is afraid that we will ban the classics. If you want to write about the love of a boy for a boy, write to the table. When we talk about Nabokov, this is not the kind of story when you propagandize. Propaganda – when you show the unlawful as normal, and you show it so “tasty” that you want to repeat it. This is propaganda. It is unlikely that anyone wants to repeat the story with Lolita.
With her statement, Butskaya actually confirms what human rights activists said about the law prohibiting “propaganda of non-traditional relations” – there is no definition of propaganda in the law, and it is up to the authorities to decide on what criteria a particular work will be banned. There is no such criterion as “hardly anyone wants to repeat it” in the law, there are no definitions of non-traditional relationships, preferences either. As a result, the decision is made on the basis of the subjective assumption of this or that deputy, policeman or official.
The book "Lolita" describes the feelings of a 37-year-old teacher named Humbert for a 12-year-old girl, Lolita, with whom he falls in love. Humbert keeps a diary and marries Lolita's mother in order to be closer to the girl. Soon his wife finds out about his feelings, in confusion she runs down the street, she is hit by a car, and Humbert remains the only guardian of the girl, after which their relationship continues to develop in a romantic direction.