Putin signs harrowing anti-LGBTQ media law in Russia
On December 4, 2022 Vladimir Putin signed amendments to an “LGBTQ propaganda law” in Russia that tightened already restrictive censorship of LGBTQ representation in the media for both children and adults alike.
According to the State Duma Information Committee Chairman Alexander Khinstine, the law, which was originally signed in 2013, was “insufficient” and was deemed in need of expansion. So expand censorship and LGBTQ+ restrictions Russia did.
“We propose to fully extend the ban on that sort of propaganda among audiences of all ages (offline, media outlets, the Internet, social media, as well as in cinema theatres),” said Khinstine.
The amendments effectively ban LGBTQ media for all Russian citizens of all ages. Those found guilty of breaching the law, or attempting to breach it, will be fined up to 400,000 rubles, whereas legal entities can be fined up to 5 million rubles. Non-nationals breaking, or attempting to break the law, can be detained for 15 days and/or deported.
Since the bill’s inception, officials in Russia have used the proposed changes (now signed into law) to administer fines against companies such as TikTok, Twitch, and Facebook, who have all been deemed guilty of “propagating the LGBTQ+ community”. Similarly, harrowing implications from the proposed changes also forced Russia’s first trans politician, Yulia Alyoshina, to resign.
Such political activity is a result of the Kremlin’s attempts to exert pressure on minority groups within Russia who oppose Putin. These attempts, which clearly stifle free speech and attempt to further marginalize the already marginalized, are Putin’s way of continuing his campaign to promote what he deems as “traditional values” in Russian territories.
Authorities are already using the new amendments to the LGBTQ Propaganda law to detain gay rights activities and cancel all LGBTQ and pride events around the country.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for all queer stuff!
Featured: Anton Vaganov/Reuters
