Politics: The BIG Russian Step Backwards. (July)

In a time when Ireland is trying to make strides forward in LGBT rights it can sometimes shock to hear stories from around the world. Many countries still have primitive views about people from the Gay community and the hostility directed towards them is indefensible. This month our political writer, Richard Burke, looks at recent legislation which has come to bare in Russia and discuss the negative impact it will have on the LGBT community.......

The 29^th of June 2013 marked a dark day for the Russian LGBT community. One hundred pro-gay rights protestors assembled in Moscow, only for what was intended to be a peaceful protest descended into violence. The Moscow police force arrested dozens of anti and pro gay rights activists for disturbing the peace and the reason? President Putin signed a new law that criminalizes homosexual ‘propaganda’ aimed at minors. The anti-propaganda law introduces fines of up to five thousand rubles (120 euros) for citizens who disseminate information aimed at minors: ‘directed at forming non-traditional sexual setup.’ 

The fines skyrocket to twenty thousand rubles (4,820 euros) if such information is disseminated via the media or internet. The terminology of the official publication of the bill is even more troubling. It suggests propaganda may cause a ‘distorted understanding that gay and heterosexual relations are socially equivalent.’ Putin’s official statement entailed: ‘We are talking about protecting children from the respective information.’ 

This bears an uncanny resemblance to Helen Lovejoy from the Simpsons: ‘Won’t someone think of the children?’ Attempts at levity aside, the knowledge that two members of Pussy Riot are currently serving two year sentences in faraway penal colonies suggests Communism is alive and well in Putin’s vision of Russia. For Russia’s LGBT community the status quo will remain unchallenged. RB

A recent Pew poll determined that only 16% of Russians think homosexuality should be accepted by society. And the acceptance of homosexuality in Russia has decreased, not increased, since 2007.