World

IKEA pulls online magazine in Russia over gay propaganda law

Ikea, the world's largest furniture retailer, says it is halting its online magazine in Russia out of fears it violates the country's law banning promotion of same-sex gay values to minors.

Magazine reflects values of 'equal rights and opportunities for all'

IKEA says its magazine 'can be considered as propaganda' in Russia because it features 'various aspects of home life' regardless of age, gender or sexual orientation. (Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images)

Ikea, the world's largest furniture retailer, says it is halting its online magazine in Russia out of fears it violates the country's law banning promotion of same-sex gay values to minors.

The Swedish retailer says its magazine IKEA Family Live "demonstrates various aspects of home life regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, nationality and religion."

The company did not specify what content may violate Russian laws, but said the magazine reflects IKEA's values, "including equal rights and opportunities for all."

In a Russian language statement, IKEA said "we understand that some material in our magazine can be considered as propaganda," adding it had decided "to stop the publication of the magazine in Russia."

The law passed in 2013 bans promotion of "non-traditional sexual relations" to people under the age of 18.