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LGBT Organization Calls For Boycott of Russian Vodka

A gay rights organization based in the U.S. has called for a worldwide boycott on Russian vodka in response to the country's new gay propaganda legislation.

Queer Nation's manifest implores people not to buy or drink Russian vodka and also asks bar owners not to serve it in their establishments.

"It's time to target Russia. Dump Russian vodka!" the manifest declares, Gay Network News reported Wednesday.

In late June, President Vladimir Putin signed the so-called "gay propaganda" law, which levies fines of 4,000 rubles to one million rubles ($124 to $31,000) for promoting homosexuality among minors.

The law has caused outrage in the international gay community, and a number of LGBT activists have called for a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Queer Nation's appeal comes after a group of Dutch filmmakers were detained in the northern city of Murmansk for filming a documentary about gay rights in Russia and interviewing a 17-year-old boy.

The four Dutch nationals were banned from Russia for three years by the Federal Migration Service for violating the new law.

In doing so, they became the first foreigners to fall foul of the legislation.

A boycott could seriously reduce SPI Group's sales. It produces Stolichnaya vodka, which is a popular brand among U.S. consumers.

Queer Nation was founded in 1990 in New York and became famous for its loud and effective manifests targeting companies whose management infringe the rights of sexual minorities, RBC Daily reported.

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