Russia censored Jennifer Coolidge’s now-viral quote in the second season’s finale of The White Lotus, according to local outlet Meduza.
In the episode, the Legally Blonde star was targeted by “high-end gays” trying to murder her character, Tanya McQuoid.
After managing to take a few of them out, Tanya falls off a yacht, knocks her head on a dinghy and proceeds to drown to death in the Ionian Sea.
However, prior to doing so, she seeks help from the captain, explaining: “These gays, they’re trying to murder me!”
Audiences in Russia didn’t hear it this way, though, as the word “gay” is said to have been replaced with “men”.
In this version, the captain also tells Tanya that “we’re all men here.”
In addition, the scene where the character spies on Quentin having sex with Jack was allegedly removed entirely.
Lesbian scenes starring hotel manager Valentina and Mia, a sex worker, were also cut.
The episode’s censorship comes not long after President Vladimir Putin signed a law expanding Russia’s ‘LGBT propaganda’ restrictions to all adults.
The move effectively outlaws any public expression of LGBTQ+ behaviour or lifestyle in the country.
The original version of it was implemented in 2013 and put a ban on the promotion of all “non-traditional” sexual relationships among minors.
It has since been used as justification to stop Pride marches, prevent minors from watching content with LGBTQ+ themes and to detain activists.
Under the new legislation, which was signed into law by Putin on 5 December, any event or act viewed as an attempt to “promote” homosexuality could result in a fine of up to 400,000 roubles (£5,400) for individuals and 4,000,000 roubles (£68,400) for legal entities.
Foreigners in the country could be subjected to 15 days of arrest and possible expulsion from Russia.
Russians will be restricted from “praising” homosexuality or publicly suggesting that homosexuals are “normal” under the legislation.
The proposed ban covers public acts, online content, film, books and advertising.
Despite homosexuality being legal in Russia since 1993, LGBTQ+ people face ongoing societal challenges in the country.
Hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity are not prohibited by law, and no anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ exist.
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