Russian deputies this Thursday passed legislative changes that significantly expand the law banning “LGBT+ propaganda,” highlighting the Kremlin’s conservative nature and in the midst of Russia’s military campaign against Ukraine.
“The promotion of non-traditional sexual relations is prohibited (…). This solution protects our children and the future of the country from the propaganda of the United States and European countries,” said Viatcheslav Volodine, who heads the House of Representatives, Thursday. House of the Russian Parliament (Duma).
This new law, which is an expanded version of a 2013 text that banned LGBT+ “propaganda” among minors, now bans the “promotion of non-traditional sexual relations” for all audiences in the media, on the internet, in books and in the movies.
This broad scope, as well as the interpretation allowed by the concept of “promotion”, raises fears of further repression against LGBT+ communities in Russia, which already face severe discrimination.
“(…) A ban has also been introduced on the promotion of pedophilia and gender reassignment,” said Volodine.
“The fines amount to 10 million rubles” (about 160,000 euros) for offenders, the deputy added.
Before the text becomes law, it still needs to be validated by the Upper House, the Federation Council and signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, steps that are in fact mere formalities.
The passing of this new law comes after years of repression against LGBT+ communities, with the Kremlin presenting itself as the defender of traditional values in the face of a West presented as decadent.
In the context of the conflict in Ukraine, this law has also been portrayed as a means of ‘defending’ Russia against a value-level attack by Western countries.
“We have our own traditions and values,” Volodine said.
In addition to LGBT+ people, this law also concerns people who have ties to film and literature and fear a strengthening of the already very strict censorship. For example, the novel “Lolita” by the Russian writer Vladimir Nabokov could be banned.
“The sale of goods containing prohibited information” is now prohibited and “movies promoting (“non-traditional”) relationships will not receive a distribution certificate,” according to the official portal of the State Duma.
Source: DN
