"Questions and answers on anti-gay legislation in Russia" is an article published by The Washington Post today and speaks in detail about the recent changes to Russian legislation in rerads LGTB rigths.
"The law on “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations among minors” was signed into law by President Vladimir Putin on July 29. Originally titled the law on “homosexual propaganda,” the bill criminalizes public expression of support for nontraditional relationships. Russian lawmakers say the law doesn’t outlaw homosexuality but merely discourages discussion of it among people younger than 18. However, the law has outraged Russian liberals and some sectors of the international community just six months before the start of the Winter Olympic Games in the Russian city of Soch," the article reads.
The author notes that the definition of “propaganda” is vague, and the law does not formally outlaw gay sex, which was legalized in Russia in 1993. “Nontraditional relatiosn" are not defined by law either.
"The law sets fines of up to 5,000 rubles ($150) for individuals and 1 million rubles ($30,000) for organizations convicted of violating the law", with more severe punishments for propaganda on the web or in the media.
The article raises certain concerns: "While most activists believe that the law will not be widely enforced, it effectively gives any local government a carte blanche to ban gay pride events and will discourage people from discussing LGBT rights publicly and online," the aithor writes.
"The law sparked a boycott of Russian vodka in gay bars across North America and vodka dumps in front of Russian embassies and consulates. There have been scattered calls for a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Russian city of Sochi, but no country or athlete has yet declined to attend. Most officials, including President Barack Obama, have called a boycott unnecessary," the author adds.
