Anti-Gay Bill Approved in Kaliningrad

By The Moscow Times

Jan. 25, 2013

The Kaliningrad region passed a bill Thursday to forbid “homosexual propaganda” and impose fines for the distribution of information on same-sex relationships as well as pedophilia, RIA-Novosti reported Thursday.

The bill, which needs the governor’s signature to become law, mirrors similar legislation adopted in St. Petersburg in March outlawing the dissemination of information on homosexuality to minors.

The Kaliningrad bill, drafted by regional United Russia Deputy Oleg Bolychev, would impose fines of 3,000 to 5,000 on individuals and 500,000 to 1 million rubles on organizations convicted of engaging in the promotion of homosexuality.

A countrywide bill stipulating fines for homosexual propaganda nationwide is pending approval by the State Duma. The initiative has spurred a wave of discontent among gay activists, who have taken to the streets in protest.

A Duma discussion of that bill was scheduled for Tuesday but delayed amid clashes between opponents and Russian Orthodox activists.

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