Russia’s Duma finally approves LGBTQ ‘propaganda’ bill

Russian lawmakers have finally approved a bill that significantly expands restrictions on activities seen as promoting gay rights in the country.

The move is another step in a years-long crackdown on the country’s struggling LGBTQ community.

The new bill expands the ban on so-called “non-traditional sexual relationship propaganda” by minors established by legislation known as the “gay propaganda” law.

It was adopted by the Kremlin in 2013 to promote Russia’s “traditional values”.

This year, lawmakers began banning the distribution of such messages to those 18 and older.

The bill was passed in the third and final readings of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, on Thursday.

It will be presented to President Vladimir Putin after the upper house Federation Council, whose signature will give it legal force.

The new bill bans all advertisements, media and online resources, books, films and theater productions deemed to contain such “propaganda,” a concept loosely defined in the bill.

The 2013 ban was generally imposed against any depiction of same-sex unions and was used as a tool against LGBTQ rights groups and activists.

Violators will be fined. If committed by non-residents, they may be deported from Russia.

Fines range from 100,000 to 2 million rubles (£1,380 to £27,500). For certain violations, foreigners could face 15 days in detention before being deported.

The Act does not criminalize violations. Russian law stipulates that the penal code can only be amended by a separate act. Some lawmakers have said they support such a measure.

Russia passed an amendment to the country’s constitution in 2020, explicitly prohibiting same-sex marriage, which stipulates that “the institution of marriage is the union of a man and a woman.”