OVERVIEW: THE ANTI-gay "pROPAGANDA" LAW
On June 29th, 2013, the Russian parliament unanimously passed the Russian LGBTQ propaganda law. The law was made as an amendment to legislation that also criminalizes the distribution of pornography, and the glorification of violence, substance abuse or self-harm, to minors. The bill’s author argues that non-traditional sexual relationships (e.g. same-sex ones), and that minors should be exposed to media that suggests that promotes non-traditional sexual relationships, or even equates them to traditional sexual relationships. In the June 2013 survey by VTsIOM, at least 90% of Russians were in favour of the law. Orthodox Christian groups have heavily supported the law, as well as 100 conservative groups worldwide.
International criticism from human rights groups emerged surrounding the potential consequences of the bill. The vagueness surrounding the definition of “propaganda” and “distribution to minors” could essentially ban all forms of public gay rights activism, including the public display of LGBTQ symbols or kissing a same sex partner. Critics say that homophobic violence and discrimination could be justified through this law.
A sanctioned gay pride rally in St. Petersburg occurred on the same week the bill passed. 200 anti-gay activists surrounded them urging authorities to ban the rally and violence broke out between members of the groups. 24 gay rights activists, and 8 anti-gay activists were detained by the police. How far will bill go to persecute perceived LGBTQ propaganda and influence budding protests?
International criticism from human rights groups emerged surrounding the potential consequences of the bill. The vagueness surrounding the definition of “propaganda” and “distribution to minors” could essentially ban all forms of public gay rights activism, including the public display of LGBTQ symbols or kissing a same sex partner. Critics say that homophobic violence and discrimination could be justified through this law.
A sanctioned gay pride rally in St. Petersburg occurred on the same week the bill passed. 200 anti-gay activists surrounded them urging authorities to ban the rally and violence broke out between members of the groups. 24 gay rights activists, and 8 anti-gay activists were detained by the police. How far will bill go to persecute perceived LGBTQ propaganda and influence budding protests?
Primary SOURCes
The Bill:
Article 6.21 - Propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors
This article prohibits:
1. Propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors expressed in distribution of information that is aimed at:
2. Actions that are set out in part 1 of the present article that were carried out with the use of media and/or information and telecommunication networks (including the Internet).
Punishable by an administrative fine for citizens in the amount of fifty thousand to one hundred thousand rubles.
3. Actions set out in part 1 of the present article that were committed by a foreign citizen or a stateless individual with the use of media and/or information and telecommunication networks (including the Internet).
Punishable by an administrative fine in the amount of fifty thousand to one hundred thousand rubles with administrative deportation from the Russian Federation or administrative arrest for a term of up to fifteen days with administrative deportation
from the Russian Federation.
Article 6.21 - Propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors
This article prohibits:
1. Propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors expressed in distribution of information that is aimed at:
- The formation of non-traditional sexual attitudes, attractiveness of non-traditional sexual relations, and misperceptions of the social equivalence of traditional and nontraditional sexual relations.
- Enforcing information about non-traditional sexual relations that evokes interest in such relations.
2. Actions that are set out in part 1 of the present article that were carried out with the use of media and/or information and telecommunication networks (including the Internet).
Punishable by an administrative fine for citizens in the amount of fifty thousand to one hundred thousand rubles.
3. Actions set out in part 1 of the present article that were committed by a foreign citizen or a stateless individual with the use of media and/or information and telecommunication networks (including the Internet).
Punishable by an administrative fine in the amount of fifty thousand to one hundred thousand rubles with administrative deportation from the Russian Federation or administrative arrest for a term of up to fifteen days with administrative deportation
from the Russian Federation.
Dozens held at LGBT rally in Russia's St. Petersburg
-RIA Novosti, 6/29/2013
A sanctioned gay pride gathering in St. Petersburg on Saturday ended in the detention of demonstrators and violent scuffles between police and anti-gay campaigners...“After the complaints of local residents, representatives of the local administration and the police warned the protestors that their protest was illegal and asked them to leave,” a police spokesperson said...The Russian LGBT network said on its Facebook page Saturday that several activists were beaten up by their opponents during the event, and more than 50 were held by the police...one police officer was injured.
The first arrests of foreign citizens under the ban against gay propaganda took place in Murmansk, when four Dutch citizens, attending a human rights seminar, were also filming a documentary on gay life in Russia.
-Washington Blade, 7/23/2013
Russia's new neo- nazi sport: terrorizing gay youth online
-The Verge, 8/7/2013
“Occupy Pedophilia,” is a Russian vigilante group founded by Maxim Sergeyevich Martsinkevich. Members of the group are alleged to have lured LGBT youth to abusive encounters through fake social media profiles under the guise of meeting other LGBT youth. The encounters are often recorded and then posted online. The group is said to equate homosexuality to pedophilia, and is also alleged to target gay men and subject them to similar abusive treatment....
"Being outed in a small city or village in Russia very often means death," says Larry Poltavtsev of the Spectrum Human Rights Alliance, a Washington, DC-based advocacy group for gay rights in Eastern Europe. "Exposed teenagers may commit suicide, or they’ll be harassed by your peers, their parents may kick them out of their house. It’s a nightmare."
Australian snowboarder Belle Brockhoff came out as gay to bring attention to Russia's LGBT propaganda law, and for lesbian and gay athletes.
-Huffington Post, 8/26/2013
‘Kiss-in’ rallies across globe protest Russia’s anti-gay laws
-The Globe and Mail, 9/8/2013
Several dozen people gathered at the Russian Consulate in Montreal on Sunday to defiantly lock lips, as part of a worldwide protest against Russia’s new anti-gay legislation....“A kiss is a beautiful sign of love, so it goes against exactly what’s happening in Russia,” said Kat Coric, who helped organize the Montreal protest....In all, organizers say more than 50 cities across the globe – from Berlin to Cape Town to Tokyo – took part in the event, coined “To Russia, With Love.”
We could do with a government with backbone, not necessarily in relation to this issue but one that understands and reflects what the majority thinks rather than constantly pandering to minorities.
- Daily Mail commenter, "Kateykate"
It's their country and we have no right to tell them, or any other country how to run themselves.
- Daily Mail commenter, "Simon Avery"