On 16 November 2011 St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly passed in its first reading a law prohibiting propaganda of homosexuality, lesbianism, transsexuality and pedophilia and introducing fines for such actions. The law is expected to come into force in December 2011. Discussion of St. Petersburg law provoked intensive debates in the Russian media and society. According to its authors it will be used to ban any public events of sexual minorities in the city.
This bill, however, is not unique. Similar bills have already been passed in Russian regions such as Ryazan Oblast and Arkhangelsk Oblast. On 28 September 2011 parliament of another Russian region – Arkhangelskaya Oblast – passed a similar law prohibiting propaganda of homosexuality to minors. This law came into force in October 2011.
On 16 November 2011 Speaker of Moscow City Duma Vladimir Platonov said in the interview that the law banning propaganda of homosexuality to minors will definitely be passed in Moscow. The next day he was supported by other local parliamentarians who said they are working on such a law to be introduced in Moscow City Duma.
On 17 November Speaker of Russian Upper Chamber of Parliament Valentina Matvienko supported introduction of a similar law on federal level.
Both the U.S. State Department and the U.K. Foreign Office have denounced the bill with concerns about human rights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3TOsbnSpyE As you can see from the video, the Russian police did not stand on ceremony with citizens trying to protect their rights.
December 4, 2011 in Russia held elections to the Parliament. They were accompanied by numerous violations. On Youtube posted hundreds of videos, which are fixed in various serious violations during the vote. A number of politicians and public figures have called them illegitimate.
Unfortunately, we must note that today's Russia is moving on the path of dictatorship and civil liberties violations.
