MOSCOW (AP) — Russian lawmakers gave preliminary approval Thursday to a bill that imposes tough new restrictions on activities to promote LGBTQ rights in the country.
A 2013 Russian law banned what authorities deem to be the “propaganda” of “non-traditional sexual relations” to children. It has been used to stifle debate in any public context and to prevent demonstrations or any public gatherings with pro-LGBTQ content that a child could conceivably see or hear.
International human rights groups denounced the law for creating a hostile environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Russians.
The new bill, which the lower house of Russia’s parliament unanimously approved on the first of three readings, ramps up the restrictions by banning the “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relationships” entirely, not just among those under age 18.