Russian ‘LGBTQ propaganda’ law signed by Putin explained

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a complete ban on ‘LGBTQ propaganda’, which criminalizes the distribution of material promoting non-traditional sexual relations, pedophilia, and transgenderism. The law also allows foreign offenders to be expelled from Russia.

Putin signed the bill on Monday, after it was approved by the upper and lower chambers of the Russian parliament late last month.

How has Russia responded to Western criticism?

A group of 33 mostly Western states calling themselves the ‘Equal Rights Coalition’ accused Moscow of creating “a climate of fear and intimidation” among LGBTQ people and “impacting the human rights of all in Russia.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the legislation “another serious blow to freedom of expression and the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons in Russia.”

Russia’s embassy in Washington condemned Blinken’s statement as “gross interference in our internal affairs,” adding that “Russia consistently stands for the protection of traditional family values” and rejects “attempts by Western states, led by the United States, to impose pseudo-liberal and perverted ideas about human rights on other countries.”