Draft 'Homosexual Propaganda' Bill Enters Ukrainian Parliament

Lawmakers in Ukraine's parliament are expected to soon be debating a draft law against the spreading of "homosexual propaganda" among minors.

Parliament announced on June 19 that a draft on the subject had been submitted by deputies of the ruling Party of Regions.

In its current form, the legislation would impose fines of up to 11,900 hryvnyas, or around $1,500, for spreading "homosexual propaganda" to people under 18.

The move comes almost three months after a similar law was proposed in the State Duma lower house of parliament in neighboring Russia, and after lawmakers in the Russian city of St. Petersburg approved such a measure.

The measure has been criticized for giving authorities the potential power to ban public demonstrations by embattled gay and transgender communities.

With reporting by Interfax