Russia Is Now Banning All “Gay Propaganda” That Promotes “Non-Traditional” Relationships
The Russian upper house of parliament has passed a bill banning “gay propaganda” for all ages, bringing it one step closer to law and expanding a previous law that only banned it for children.
The Russian upper house of parliament has passed a bill banning “gay propaganda” for all ages, bringing it one step closer to law and expanding a previous law that only banned it for children.
The bill aims to expand a 2013 law, which banned “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” in any form of mass media for anyone under the age of 18.
The law has been used to stop pride marches and detain LGBTQ rights activists, according to the Guardian.
Passed with an unanimous vote, the bill will see individuals found guilty of spreading “gay propaganda” be fined up to 400,000 rubles (US$6,600) and companies up to 5 million rubles (US$82,100).
Foreigners found guilty could face up to 15 days in prison or deportation.
Although gay bars and clubs would probably be allowed to function, actions such as same-sex kissing in public could be fined, Russian LGBT support group member, Kseniya Mikhailova, told Reuters.
The chairperson of the Russian LGBT Network said the law was “an ongoing homophobic government campaign against LGBTQ rights” and “a broader attack on anything the government deems ‘western and progressive.’”
In September, during a speech announcing the annexation of four occupied areas of Ukraine, Russian president Vladimir Putin took a jab at LGBTQ rights in the West, claiming it lead to “perversions” and “outright Satanism”.
The bill will now be signed off by Putin before becoming law.
