Russia’s LGBT community on Friday called for an end to what they see as an ongoing crackdown spearheaded by the ruling United Russia party.
Earlier in the day Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak and St. Petersburg Governor Georgy Poltavchenko spoke in favor of the St. Petersburg city draft law penalizing the promotion of homosexuality.
City authorities say the bill is aimed, above all, against pedophilia.
“A similar law should be considered at the federal level as well,” Kozak said.
“We promote equal rights and respect for human dignity for each and everyone,” Igor Kochetkov, head of the Russian LGBT Network, said.
“There is nothing dangerous or immoral about that.”
“Mixing up homosexuality and pedophilia is either blatant ignorance or brazen provocation, insulting to millions of people - gays and lesbians,” he said.
The law sponsored by Kozak and Poltavchenko is absurd and promotes stupidity, Kochetkov said.
“Politically, this is dangerous populism, which will only heighten tension in the country,” the rights activist said.
He urged United Russia to end the hysteria, saying the persecution of gays has always been a hallmark of totalitarian regimes.
The St. Petersburg city bill had its first reading and has to pass another two before becoming law.
Under the law, “public activities promoting sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgender identity” among minors are punishable by a fine of up to 3,000 rubles ($100) for individuals and up to 50,000 rubles for organizations.
