TOURISTS ARRESTED IN RUSSIA OVER GAY BAN LAW
Three Dutch tourists visiting the city of Murmansk have become the first foreign victims of Russia’s gay propaganda law.
The Russian LGBT Network reported on Sunday that the trio had been detained by the police on charges of violating the country’s “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors” law.
It is unclear what they did that caused them to be arrested.
Under the law, signed by President Putin late last month, a tourist who displays any public support for gay rights or gay people could be arrested for up to 14 days before being thrown out of Russia.
The law is so vague and broad that even proclaiming to be gay or wearing a pro-gay t-shirt in public could be a violation.
The tourists were released by police but are set to appear in court today.
The Russian LGBT Network said that it is proving legal assistance to the three.
On Sunday, Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, told churchgoers that he supported the state’s gay propaganda law.
He also warned that the legalisation of same-sex marriage would result in the destruction of humanity.
“This is a very dangerous sign of the apocalypse … It means people are choosing a path of self-destruction,” Kirill said in a sermon at Kazan Cathedral in Moscow’s Red Square.
These religious types make me so angry. Always so busy persecuting one or another group. Christians have forced people to convert or die, they’ve tortured and burned Jews, so -called witches, protestants, expelled people from their countries, massacred people on all continents except Antarctica…. In my mind, they are the oldest criminal organization in existence.
Not all Russians are anti Gay. I am Russian but I live in Cape Town. My occupation has changed over the last Two years from being an exec Tour Operator to being a gay wedding package specialist due to the large demand of Russian gay couples wanting to get married. Although our service is popular in the community and well known it is almost impossible for us to advertise due to the new restrictions on talking about anything gay or lesbian related. I think that gay russians knew it was coming for a while. being a gay russian is a very complicated thing, always has been. We hope it will blow over and more modern policies will be introduced soon. Until this happens i would be more than happy to help any Russian couples who wish to tie the not and be treated like equal citizens. You can find out more at exclusivediscovery.com the whole portfolio is in Russian as it is a service designed for gay Russians but we speak English as well 🙂
Ruussian pridei have lots of gay friends who live in moscow. They are all afraid at the moment. All of them live in secret. The big shame is that without exception they are still patriotic and proud of being russian dispite the Goverment turning against them. We are burning a candle for you all. It will pass x