The legislation would fine anyone who publishes what is defined as “propaganda.”
QUICK FACTS:
- Russia has moved one step closer to banning all “LGBTQ propaganda” from being published for both children and adults.
- The bill “on the protection of traditional values” is another step following a 2013 law, which banned the spread of LGBTQ materials among those under 18.
- If passed, the law would apply to “the media, the internet, literature, and cinema,” and expand requirements imposed on the advertising industry, which currently prohibits the demonstration of non-traditional sexual relations or preferences.
- “We must do everything to protect our children and those who want to live a normal life. Everything else is sin, sodomy, darkness, and our country is fighting this,” said Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the State Duma.
POTENTIAL PENALTIES:
- Separate penalties for foreigners and noncitizens are introduced by the measure. If an individual spreads LGBT propaganda among adults, they will be subject to fines between 50,000 and 100,000 rubles (about $850 and $1,650), while propaganda directed towards children will incur fines between 100,000 and 200,000 rubles (roughly $1,650 and $3,300).
- Deportation may occur in both situations in addition to the fines and may be preceded by up to 15 days of incarceration. Depending on the audience’s age, fines for propaganda spread by foreigners through media or the Internet may amount to 100,000 or 400,000 rubles (about $1,650 and $6,600, respectively).
BACKGROUND:
- Russia has been in the news for months due to its conflict with Ukraine, which began in late February of this year.
- Former President Donald Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social in September to offer his leadership in brokering a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, as American Faith previously reported. Trump has yet to be taken up on his offer.
- The move represents a stark contrast with Joe Biden’s strategy, as Biden recently requested yet another $13.7 billion in American taxpayer money from Congress to continue funding the Ukrainian side, perpetuating the country’s bloody war with Russia.
- Biden on Wednesday approved sending another $400 million defense aid package.
