Russian lawmakers in St. Petersburg passed a bill Wednesday with a 31-6 vote that would allow officials to fine LGBT activists and allies on the merit of “advocating” gay and lesbian relationships in public. The bill also aims to institute fines for promoting pedophilia.
The bill ban events such as gay pride parades and any other public display of sexual orientation to include disbarring lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender discussion or action.
The third and final reading was tentatively set for Wednesday reports The Moscow Times. Spokesperson Vitaly Milonov for United Russia confirmed the information to the paper under their “customary” condition of anonymity.
Since the bill’s induction in November 2011, the fines for discussing, displaying, or otherwise involving oneself in lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender topics were raised from 3,000 rubles to 5,000 rubles for ordinary citizens. Fines for Russian officials were raised from 5,000 rubles to 50,000 rubles. The fines for legal entities were raised from 50,000 to 500,000 for any infraction involving public displays of sexual orientation.
Russian news station Neva 24 reports the bill contains a “corruptive element” after comments from Maxim Reznik, a St. Petersburg lawmaker, confirmed the bill gives “powerful instruments to put pressure on dissenters.”
St. Petersburg police detained five LGBT activists moments after the bill was passed.
At a U.S. press conference Wednesday following the passage of the bill, a statement was issued on behalf of the U.S. Department of State:
We are concerned by proposed local legislation in Russia that would severely restrict freedoms of expression and assembly for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, and indeed all Russians. As Secretary Clinton has said, gay rights are human rights and human rights are gay rights.
We have called on Russian officials to safeguard these freedoms, and to foster an environment which promotes respect for the rights of all citizens.
We have also consulted with our EU partners on this issue. They share our concerns and are also engaging Russian officials on this.
The United States places great importance on combating discrimination against the LGBT community and all minority groups.
