Yabloko Youth protested against anti-gay bill
Press release, 18.01.2016
On 18 January, the Moscow branch of Yabloko Youth conducted a series of one-person picketing against the Communist Party’s (CPRF) bill prohibiting to come out as gay. The activists claim that the government must not interfere in the private life of people. They held picketing outside the Communist Party office with the picture of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev kissing leader of the German Democratic Republic Erich Honecker. The placard said “CPRF, Brezhnev is ashamed of you. One cannot prohibit love!”.
The bill proposes fines of up to 5,000 rubles for expressing “non-traditional sexual orientation” publically – same-sex kissing, hugging and holding hands. The bill also proposes 15 days of arrest for coming out as gay in educational institutions. The State Duma Committee on Constitutional Legislation rejected the bill, nevertheless, it will be considered by the deputies in the first reading on 22 January, Friday.
The activits also claim that Ivan Nikitchuk, the author of the draft legislation, must be accused of violating Article 136 of the Russian Criminal Code on inadmissiblity of discrimination for his anti-gay statements.
Posted: January 19th, 2016 under Human Rights, Street Actions, Youth Policies.