The blatant homophobia expressed in most comments on this article is truly horrific.  Russia is doomed to a horrible future if it fails to protect minorities.  Contrary to what some have written, the law is not supposed to reflect the views of the majority, but is supposed to promote the common good, which includes protection of minorities.  Russia is obliged to protect certain basic minimum rights, as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the rights to free expression and peaceful assembly.  

Some of the comments are almost laughable if they weren't so repugnant.  Russia is becoming an uncivilised country, while the rest of the world, thankfully, becomes more tolerant.  Intolerance breeds more of the same, and eventually comes back to bite those who advocated it.  What groups will be attacked next?  Black people, people with brown eyes, people who like to wear unusual clothes?  Some people seem to have forgotten that Russia was once a major victim of similar policies during the Third Reich. 

I have been nearly crucified on SA-based media web-page called News.24 for voicing my support of the anti-gay bill issued in Ukraine. Just proves how corrupt and perverted the western society is. The EU strongly condemned an outcome of the bill abovementioned saying that "the law was "clearly discriminatory" and ran counter to Ukraine's international commitments to freedom of expression and information" As well ahs been noted that "Laws banning LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) issues mark a worrying step back towards a bygone era when homosexuals were treated like criminals." The same time our honorable patrons are forgetting that by forcing  their perverted ideas about freedom and democracy on the ones who see those ideas absolutely unacceptale for their own cultural beliefs and traditions, they themselves are infringing upon their human rights. The violent outburst  described in the article above simply proves that homosexuality never was a part of our society and never will, doesnt matter how hard the so to say enlightened and progressive West is trying to trap us in their false ideals.

A (unregistered) wrote in #5
Nobody would have even touched them if they weren't trying hard to bring everybody's attention and annoy all Russians. They perfectly know that their way of life is not very welcome in Russian society. They decided to fight against the society, now society answers - what else they expected? Though probably they expected and tried hard to get exactly these results - to make it popular story in western media and blame Russia one more time.The laws exist to satisfy the society needs, not the other way around - that's the reason for Russian society to have the laws banning gay propaganda - Russian society doesn't even want to hear about gays. If they don't like it - they are free to choose another society, not to expect that the whole Russian society will change to satisfy the wishes of their minority. _______ ____________________ ____________________ ___________
Could n't agree more with A!!Russia already has demographic and cultural problems and propaganda of LGBT only adds to it. If it wasn't for them trying to push the envelope so hard, no one would even look at them. Russians are in fact very tolerant towards any minorities, but they become mad when someone tries to break Russian traditions. And if the reaction against LGBT is THAT violent, that is a red flag that the government should provide the society what it wants. And our society wants it normal, not the "new normal". Same way with our immigrants - do not push your way and beliefs, in Rome do like the Romans do, and you will be respected. It is true that some gay people are very talented, but it is the talent we want to support not sodomy! I doubt Chaikovsky was picketing the imperial court demanding rights for homosexuals, he lived his life quietly so everyone remembers that he was a great composer not a great homosexual. Sodomy is a genetic deviation in the human brain and nature proves it - there is no animals in nature who are homosexual. Besides, we do not want to hear how exactly someone wants to have sex - it is dirty laundry, so don't flaunt it. This is how Russia thinks and anyone who has the need to yell about their dirty laundry at every corner should go to the places where it is considered "normal".