Russia bans public homosexuality
 

http://news.yahoo.com/russia-moves-e...125825051.html

MOSCOW (AP) - 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.

The lanky and longhaired Samburov is the founder of the Rainbow Association, which unites gay activists throughout Russia. The gay rights group has joined anti-Putin marches in Moscow over the past year, its rainbow flag waving along with those of other opposition groups.

Other laws that the Kremlin says are intended to protect young Russians have been hastily adopted in recent months, including some that allow banning and blocking web content and print publications that are deemed "extremist" or unfit for young audiences.

Denis Volkov, a sociologist with the Levada Center, an independent pollster, says the anti-gay bill fits the "general logic" of a government intent on limiting various rights.

But in this case, the move has been met mostly with either indifference or open enthusiasm by average Russians. Levada polls conducted last year show that almost two thirds of Russians find homosexuality "morally unacceptable and worth condemning." About half are against gay rallies and same-sex marriage; almost a third think homosexuality is the result of "a sickness or a psychological trauma," the Levada surveys show.

Russia's widespread hostility to homosexuality is shared by the political and religious elite.

Re: Russia bans public homosexuality
 

OMG that explains why Maria Sharapova lives in the US.


I can't fucking believe that douche Gerard Depardieu slammed France and praised Putin's view of the democracy :lol: He better never come back to France as a French citizen.

Re: Russia bans public homosexuality
 

this country is fucked up. and don't get me started on depardieu :cuckoo:

Re: Russia bans public homosexuality
 

It hasn't been banned yet - the article says they have not voted on the proposed law.

I swear, if this comes up for a vote and Marat votes for it, I will no longer be a fan of his. :mad:

Re: Russia bans public homosexuality
 

Does Russia have gay figures in the entertainment industry at all? Sometimes countries' artistic industries are more leftist and progressive than the country is as a whole.

Just wondering if Russia has famous gays like other European countries.

:lol: @ the OP's obsession with Europe.

Re: Russia bans public homosexuality
 

At least private homosexuality will thrive.

Re: Russia bans public homosexuality
 

Russia is such a fucked up country :o

... and homosexual people.

Re: Russia bans public homosexuality
 

Even though they weren't lesbians, t.A.T.u, :shrug:

Re: Russia bans public homosexuality
 

:lol: Democratic country my ass. Putin is destroying that country :o

Re: Russia bans public homosexuality
 

Lesborah Who the fuck are you ?

Re: Russia bans public homosexuality
 

:rolls:

Gerard is in the good company :angel:

Re: Russia bans public homosexuality
 

Forgot about them :lol: Even though it was a PR stunt.

Re: Russia bans public homosexuality
 

I wonder if that is the reason they revealed it? Because of the government :shrug:

Re: Russia bans public homosexuality
 

Is this really like to go through? So backwards. :lol:

Re: Russia bans public homosexuality
 

False information in the thread title. :shrug:

I think a mod edit on the title and a permaban for the OP should be in order.