A new poll of Russians has revealed a complicated picture of homophobia — falling slightly, but from exceptionally high levels. The Levada Centre study, published on Thursday, indicated that more than half the population still had a negative opinion on LGBT+. Nearly a third said they would disown a friend if they found out they were gay, while only three percent suggested they had a favourable opinion. On a positive note, the polls showed nearly half (47%) believed LGBT+ people should be treated equally in front of the law. This was the highest number since 2005 (51%), when polling on the question began. That, suggested the study’s authors, was evidence that the power of the state’s propaganda was beginning to wear off.