Russia is expanding its longwinded crackdown on the LGBTQ+ community. On Thursday, the country’s Duma (that’s the lower house of Parliament) moved forward with an addition to the country’s already existing 2013 legislation that pretty much outlaws gay altogether. In 2013, Vladamir Putin first enacted what would become of the country’s draconian efforts to banish anything gay-related from public view and this only expands those vast powers.
In the new piece of legislation, the ban on gay content; media, advertisements and other materials now extends to those over the age of 18. It is already illegal in Russia for gay people and persons to marry as of 2020 when the country enacted changes to its constitution barring such from ever happening. At that point in history, the country noted in the updated version of its constitution that marriage was only between a man and a woman.
Here’s what folks need to know:
- Violations are punishable by steep fines up to $33,000 (USD)
- Some violations will land foreigners in jail for up to 15 days (so beware people this is not a country you want to go around in openly gay.)
- The new legislation does not make such a criminal offense, however, the Duma is prepared to launch an independent bill to make them criminal offenses. The criminal code as it stands right now that isn’t actually possible and it has to be changed.
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