In view of Russia’s intensified confrontation with the West and the war of aggression against Ukraine, the Russian parliament has called for an anti-gay law to be tightened. The offensive in Ukraine gave “new meaning” to the proposed law, said Alexander Chinstein, a senior State Duma deputy and head of the Information Committee. The mission takes place “not only on the battlefield, but also in the minds and souls of the people”.
Parliament debated amendments to the 2013 law that would prevent minors from being exposed to “gay propaganda”. The new bill would ban “denial of family values” and “promotion of non-traditional sexual orientations” for all ages.
Konstantin Malofeyev, billionaire and media mogul, said at the Duma hearing: “The war is not only taking place on the battlefield”, but also “on our children’s smartphones, in cartoons and films”.
According to Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin, the amendments are expected to be passed in the fall. The law will “protect” Russians, Volodin said.
