Russia backs ‘gay propaganda’ ban

By GABRIELA BACZYNSKA
Published on 26/01/2013 00:00

Russia’s parliament backed a draft law banning “homosexual propaganda” yesterday, in what critics see as an attempt to shore up support for president Vladimir Putin in the country’s largely conservative society.

Only one deputy in the State Duma lower house voted against the bill, but passions spilled over outside the chamber, where 20 people were detained after scuffles between Russian Orthodox Christians and gay activists who staged a “kiss-in” protest.

“We live in Russia, not Sodom and Gomorrah,” United Russia deputy Dmitry Sablin said before the 388-1 vote in the 450-seat chamber.

“Russia is a thousands-years-old country founded on its own traditional values – the protection of which is dearer to me than even oil and gas.”

Veteran human rights ­campaigner Lyudmila Alexeyeva described the draft law as ­“medieval” and said it was ­intended to appeal to conservative voters after months of protests that have sapped Putin’s popularity.

“It [the Duma] is relying on the ignorance of people who think homosexuality is some sort of distortion,” she said.

The legislation has served to deepen divisions in society since Mr Putin returned to the presidency in May and begun moves seen by the opposition as ­designed to crack down on dissent and smother civil society.

During the process, Mr Putin and his supporters have underlined what they see as conservative, traditional Russian values.

He has drawn closer to the Russian Orthodox Church during this time, hoping its will consolidate his grip on power.