The protesters are upset about a city ordinance that will prevent Gay Pride Parades to taking place in St Petersburg. The New York Times is a bit sniffy.
Vitaly V. Milonov, the law’s principal drafter and an outspoken proponent of Russia’s Orthodox Church who has referred to homosexuals as “perverts,” has accused gay rights activists of waging an aggressive campaign of conversion among Russia’s children with the backing of Western governments.I like plain speaking myself - none of this distorting the meaning of words and nuance which is par for the course in our political dialogue.
“This is a declaration of Russia’s moral sovereignty,” Mr. Milonov said in televised remarks shortly after Wednesday’s legislative session.
Under the new law, which passed 29 to 5, “public actions, directed at the propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgenderism among minors” will be punishable with fines of up to $17,000. The law defines propaganda of homosexuality as “the targeted and uncontrolled dissemination of generally accessible information capable of harming the health and moral and spiritual development of minors,” particularly that which could create “a distorted impression” of “marital relations.”
The New York Times and the protester are not so certain.