Twenty years after homosexuality was decriminalised in Russia, anti-gay legislation is making a rapid comeback, with St Petersburg becoming the latest city to ban “homosexual propaganda”.
The law, signed by St Petersburg's governor last week, came amid increasing calls by leading Russian politicians and Orthodox Church officials to bring anti-gay laws to the federal level. It criminalises "public action aimed at propagandising sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderism among minors" and carries fines of from 5,000 ($170) to 500,000 roubles. Gay rights activists say it is part of a wider government initiative, supported by the church, to crack down on public protest. – ( Guardianservice)