The Russian world against the liberal West: Moscow will punish any LGBT behavior

Protest of the LGBT community in Moscow 2017/Photo: EPA-EFE/SERGEI ILNITSKY

The Russian parliament has approved a bill that expands the ban on "LGBT propaganda" and restricts "demonstrating LGBT behavior," making any expression of the LGBT lifestyle nearly impossible.

Under the new law, which still needs to be approved by the Upper House of Parliament and President Vladimir Putin, any action or information deemed to be an attempt to promote homosexuality – whether in public, online or in films, books or ads – can be fined heavily.

Previously, the law only prohibited "the promotion of an LGBT lifestyle aimed at children." The new bill also bans "displaying LGBT behavior to children." Lawmakers say they are defending the traditional values ​​of the "Russian world" against the liberal West, which they say is determined to destroy them - an argument that authorities are increasingly using as one of the justifications for Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.

Authorities have already used the existing law to stop gay pride parades and detain gay rights activists.

Rights groups say the new law aims to completely banish so-called "non-traditional" LGBT lifestyles practiced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from public life.

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