Russian lawmakers propose doubling fines against so-called “LGBT propaganda”

Russian lawmakers are considering expanding its so-called “LGBT propaganda” law to include materials and events directed at adults and to double fines against offenders. This report from Reuters — edited slightly for clarity — contains more information on Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s latest offensive against the LGBT community in Russia.

Reuters reported:

Russia is considering doubling fines for exposing children to what it calls “LGBT propaganda” and making any event or act seen as promoting homosexuality an administrative offense, the text of proposed new legislation made public on Wednesday showed.

Russia’s existing “gay propaganda” law, passed in 2013, bans any person or entity from promoting homosexual relationships to children, though lawmakers argued in July the law should be extended to include adults as well.

Under the proposed legislation, the penalty for promoting “non-traditional sexual relations” to children would be doubled to 2 million rubles (approximately $33,500 USD) for entities, with the fine increasing to up to 5 million rubles (approximately $84,000 USD) if the offense took place online or in the media.

Individuals could be fined up to 400,000 rubles (approximately $670 USD), while foreigners found to spread “LGBT propaganda” would face deportation from Russia.

“Currently, liability only applies to LGBT propaganda among children. My colleagues on the committee and I would like to extend it to any propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations, regardless of age,” lawmaker Alexander Khinshtein said.

The draft law is expected to be debated during the State Duma’s current autumn session, Khinshtein added.

Russian authorities say they are defending morality in the face of what they argue are un-Russian liberal values promoted by the West, but human rights activists say the law has been broadly applied to intimidate Russia’s LGBT community.

TikTok, a video-sharing app, was threatened with a 4 million ruble fine on August 30 after a Russian court heard it promoted “videos with LGBT themes,” while the country’s media regulator asked a union of publishing house in August to look at withdrawing all books disseminating “LGBT propaganda” from sale.

Authorities had previously used the law to stop gay pride marches and detain gay rights activists. The latest proposals, if passed, would significantly widen the scope of this law.

In a ranking of Europe’s most LGBT-friendly nations in this year’s “Rainbow Europe” index compiled by ILGA-Europe, Russia was third from last.

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In a separate report from Gay Times, the magazine noted that:

Over the last few years, LGBTQ+ activists and organisations have spoken out against Russia’s ‘gay propaganda’ law.

In 2018, a report from the Human Rights Campaign titled “No Support: Russia’s ‘Gay Propaganda’ Law Imperils LGBT Youth” found that the legislation had a negative impact on LGBTQ+ children in the country.

Across numerous interviews, queer youth revealed that they were prevented from accessing inclusive education and support services. They also found that the law prevented mental health specialists from offering the necessary support.

In the report, public health and social psychology expert Dr Ilan Mayer said that “the law increases and enshrines stigma and prejudice, leading to discrimination and violence.”