The rule considers fines for spreading messages in favor of the group, not only among minors, but also adults in general
The State Duma (Lower House of the Russian Parliament) on Thursday approved in its first reading a package of bills banning LGTBI propaganda, not only among minors, but also among adults in general, as well as all kinds of publications promoting gender reassignment among adolescents. This new regulation, compared to the regulation already adopted in June 2013, will extend censorship to the internet, the media as a whole, literature, audiovisual platforms, film and advertising.
The list of content prohibited from distribution to children is also being expanded, including information that may encourage them to change gender. In total, the changes will affect five laws: “On Information, Information Technology and Information Protection”, “On the Media”, “On Protecting Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development”, “On Advertising” and ‘On state aid for cinematography in the Russian Federation’.
A bill has also been passed that amends the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Violations by introducing fines for LGTBI propaganda and participation in mass events organized by this group. Likewise, the propaganda of pedophilia will be banned with the corresponding penalties, much stricter, in case of violation. Foreigners who violate these new laws will not be fined, but will be immediately expelled from Russian territory.
“During the plenary session, the Duma’s first reading deputies unanimously approved amendments banning the promotion of non-traditional sexual relations,” the legislature reported on its website. The package of laws has yet to be approved in second and third readings before being sent to the Federation Council (upper house) for subsequent promulgation by the head of state, Vladimir Putin.
The delegates have proposed these changes as a response to the West’s “ideological war”. According to Duma President Viacheslav Volodin, “we must protect our citizens and Russia from decline and extinction, from the darkness spread by the United States and European states.” For his part, Deputy Pyotr Tolstoy said that “LGTBI propaganda has become a weapon against the foundations, values and traditions of Russia.” “He is a cold-blooded, silent killer who destroys souls,” he added.
The promoter of the law, Alexander Jinshtein, underlined the “clash of civilizations” that he says is taking place in the ideological and military order, referring to Ukraine. Last month, Putin wondered if “we want our schools to impose perversions on children, starting from elementary school, that lead to decline and extinction? Do we want to teach them that there are ‘genders’ in addition to women and men? Suggest a gender reassignment surgery?
Russian homosexuals, who have so far never been allowed to demonstrate, are the target of harsh persecution, especially activists. There are even known cases of murder of members of these minorities.
In June 2013, a few days after the law banning gay propaganda among minors was passed, another ordinance was passed that prohibits same-sex couples from adopting children and also singles from countries where same-sex marriage is legal. Russian law does not provide for same-sex marriage. It was quite an achievement that after the collapse of the USSR, the laws that criminalized homosexuality were abolished. So far, no gay pride parade has been allowed in Russia, despite the fact that permission is requested annually to perform it.
Source: La Verdad
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