St. Petersburg City Governor Georgy Poltavchenko has signed a bill which outlaws “gay propaganda,” the city announced on Sunday.
Poltavchenko signed the bill into law on Wednesday, March 7 and it will take effect 10 days after being officially published, Interfax reported.
The law criminalizes “public actions aimed at propaganda of pederasty, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgenderism among minors.”
Offenders face a fine of up to $16,700 under the law first proposed by the dominant United Russia party.
The law effectively outlaws Gay Pride parades and gay rights demonstrations.
More than 92,000 people signed an AllOut.org petition calling on Poltavchenko to veto the bill.
Polina Savchenko, director of the St. Petersburg-based gay rights group Coming Out, said the new law would make it illegal to mention the sexuality of famous gay Russians.
“This radical law undermines the great legacy of our city’s past and future. If it passes, it would be illegal to mention that famed Russian composer of the 1812 Overture, St. Petersburg native Tchaikovksy, was gay,” said Savchenko. “This law installs a culture of censorship in what was once Russia’s most cosmopolitan city and is a huge blow to the freedom of expression in Russia. At a time when people all over the world are opening up and coming out, this law puts Russia back in the closet.”
by On Top Magazine Staff
Source – On Top Magazine
