Russia Moves to Enact Anti-Gay Law Nationwide

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Russia Moves to Enact Anti-Gay Law Nationwide

By AP / MANSUR MIROVALEV Jan. 21, 2013

(MOSCOW) — Kissing his boyfriend during a protest in front of Russia‘s parliament earned Pavel Samburov 30 hours of detention and the equivalent of a $16 fine on a charge of “hooliganism.” But if a bill that comes up for a first vote later this month becomes law, such a public kiss could be defined as illegal “homosexual propaganda” and bring a fine of up to $16,000.

The legislation being pushed by the Kremlin and the Russian Orthodox Church would make it illegal nationwide to provide minors with information that is defined as “propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgenderism.” It includes a ban on holding public events that promote gay rights. St. Petersburg and a number of other Russian cities already have similar laws on their books.

The bill is part of an effort to promote traditional Russian values as opposed to Western liberalism, which the Kremlin and church see as corrupting Russian youth and by extension contributing to a wave of protest against President Vladimir Putin‘s rule.

Samburov describes the anti-gay bill as part of a Kremlin crackdown on minorities of any kind — political and religious as well as sexual — designed to divert public attention from growing discontent with Putin’s rule.

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Read more: http://world.time.com/2013/01/21/russia-moves-to-enact-anti-gay-law-nationwide/

[JimDandy]

1. The world-wide tide is turning

but it's sad to see backward steps being taken. It's "Crush-em" Russia tho, so nothing new.

[DryRain]

2. I don't understand why Russia is so backward on this

I guess I don't know enough about the history of Russia to understand such strong anti-gay sentiment in this day and age.

Russian youth of today listen and dance to western music, watch western films, and read and study English in large numbers.

Contrasted with Germany, France the UK, and other European nations, Russia seems to be stepping backward, while many western European nations have moved further forward, and were more open culturally if not legally, (France especially) well before the USA.

[MNBrewer]

4. It's a distraction

It's to distract from the terrible things the government is doing and the rampant corruption. A shiny object for the Russians to look at.

[Fearless]

3. Well I'd be happy to take in a few Russian guys

Just saying...

[Radical Progressive]

5. Russian gays are in the same postion gays in the USA where in the 1960s.

In the end hate is defeated and love will overcomes. That's what MLK Jr. showed up.

[Glaug-Eldare]

8. Don't you know it. What is it they say about the arc of history?

Ah, right...it bends toward justice. Equality will prevail, but it's tragic watching the suffering that's inflicted before then in places like Russia and Uganda. If only justice wasn't so expensive. Then again, maybe that's why we cherish it so much.

[RetiredTrotskyite]

6. Egged On By No Doubt The Russian Orthodox Church

[MNBrewer]

7. yes, Putin and the Orthodox Church are hand in glove on this