Russia may expand its ban on so-called “gay propaganda” later this year, broadening a law that rights activists say has put LGBT people at risk and led to increased discrimination and violence.
A committee chairman in the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, wrote on Telegram on July 11 that a 2013 law banning "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" among minors is “insufficient.”
"We propose to fully extend the ban on that sort of propaganda among audiences of all ages (offline, media outlets, the Internet, social media, as well as in cinema theaters)," Aleksandr Khinshtein wrote, adding that his committee proposes stricter punishment for violation of the law as well.
He said lawmakers will discuss possible amendments in the fall, when the Duma is back in session.
The current law envisages fines up to 1 million rubles ($15,500) or up to 15 days in jail for propagating "nontraditional sexual relations among minors."
Khinshtein added that the amendments would also introduce stricter punishment for "propaganda" of pedophilia and ban distribution of any information demonstrating "nontraditional sexual relations."
The current law, signed by President Vladimir Putin in 2013, has been widely criticized by human rights groups and LGBT community advocates.