Russia
EU Appeals to Russia Not to Introduce Gay Propaganda Law

EU Appeals to Russia Not to Introduce Gay Propaganda Law
© flickr.com/ Guillaume Paumier- Story
Moscow Authorities Refuse to Sanction LGBT ‘Rainbow Rally’
15:44 17/05/2013
Moscow City Hall has refused a request by LGBT activists to hold a “Rainbow Rally” in Moscow’s Gorky Park on May 25, citing last day of school festivities scheduled for the same day.
Gay Pride Event Organizers Appeal Ban in Court
15:44 16/05/2013
The organizers of several planned gay pride events have appealed to a local court over Moscow City Hall's refusal to authorize their events, activists said in a press release published on the Gayrussia.eu website on Thursday.
Moscow Says No to May 25 Gay Pride Parade
19:13 15/05/2013
The Moscow mayor’s office has refused to authorize a gay pride parade planned for May 25, and will thwart any unsanctioned action, the city's top security official Alexei Mayorov said on Wednesday.
Gay Rights Not Violated in Russia - Putin
01:13 09/04/2013
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday denied that the rights of gay people are being violated in Russia.
Ashton Concerned about Russia’s ‘Gay Propaganda’ Ban
02:45 31/01/2013
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Wednesday expressed her concern about a Russian bill making “homosexual propaganda” among minors an administrative offense.
Moscow Police Release Gay ‘Propaganda’ Bill Protesters
09:30 26/01/2013
All those detained during an unsanctioned rally over the “gay propaganda” bill have been released, Moscow’s Interior Ministry confirmed on Saturday.
Duma Approves Gay "Propaganda" Bill
20:43 25/01/2013
The State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, overwhelmingly approved in its first reading on Friday a vaguely defined bill that would ban the promotion of “homosexual propaganda.”
As New Ban Looms, Gays in Russia Face Uphill Battle
20:10 24/01/2013
Pavel Samburov exudes confidence when he recalls the night in October, on International Coming Out Day, when a group of masked hoodlums stormed and ransacked a Moscow gay club.
Activists Clash Over Gay Propaganda Bill Outside Parliament
17:04 22/01/2013
Supporters and opponents of a proposed federal law banning gay propaganda clashed on Tuesday outside the State Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported from the scene.
Gay Activists Beaten During Picket in Southwest Russia
15:25 20/01/2013 Updated 11:50
Gay activists were beaten by an angry crowd during an authorized picket in the city of Voronezh in southwest Russia on Sunday.
Russian Pop Stars Chime in on ‘Sodomite Propaganda’
21:24 20/12/2012
They are the people whom many Russians blame for “gay propaganda,” but at least they are not afraid to speak out on the issue.
Lady Gaga to Medvedev: “Thank You!”
11:26 08/12/2012
American pop diva Lady Gaga expressed her gratitude to Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev for what she perceives to be his lack of support for legislation barring “homosexual propaganda” in Russia.
St. Petersburg ‘Gay Propaganda’ Law Author Defiant after Milan Snub
18:40 28/11/2012
The author of a controversial law banning “homosexual propaganda” in St. Petersburg sounded a defiant note on Wednesday after Milan suspended its sister city status with Russia’s northern capital in protest at the controversial legislation.
Madonna ‘Gay Propaganda’ Suit Thrown Out by Russian Court
20:01 22/11/2012
US pop star Madonna did not break city laws on the promotion of a homosexual lifestyle among minors during a concert in St. Petersburg earlier this year, a court ruled on Thursday.
Madonna 'Gay Propaganda' Lawsuits Go to Court
15:20 11/10/2012 MOSCOW, October 11 (RIA Novosti)
A St. Petersburg city court will hold a preliminary hearing on Thursday into multi-million-dollar lawsuits against US pop diva Madonna and the organizers of her recent St. Petersburg concert over an alleged violation of the city's law against "gay propaganda."
Supreme Court Rejects Complaint on Gay Propaganda
15:39 03/10/2012 MOSCOW, October 3 (RIA Novosti)
Russia’s Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a complaint from a human rights organization over St. Petersburg’s controversial law prohibiting propaganda of homosexuality among minors.
Russian Supreme Court Defines ‘Gay Propaganda’
19:27 13/09/2012 MOSCOW, September 13 (RIA Novosti)
Russia’s Supreme Court upheld a controversial regional ban on “gay propaganda,” but said it only covers the direct promotion of homosexual relations among minors, LGBT activists said on Thursday.
Gay Propaganda Lawsuit Against Madonna Advances
18:33 13/09/2012 ST. PETERSBURG, September 13 (RIA Novosti)
A group of Russian activists resubmitted on Thursday lawsuits against U.S. pop diva Madonna and organizers of her St. Petersburg concert seeking $10.5 million in compensation for “moral damages,” a lawyer for the plaintiffs, Alexander Pochuyev, told RIA Novosti.
Madonna Breaks 'Gay Propaganda' Law - St. Petersburg Lawmaker
19:54 10/08/2012 MOSCOW, August 10 (RIA Novosti)
A city councilor in St. Petersburg has accused U.S. pop star Madonna of violating a controversial local law banning "homosexual propaganda" during her concert there.
St. Petersburg Gay Activists Appeal to Strasbourg Court
18:38 14/07/2012 MOSCOW, July 14 (RIA Novosti)
An organization of St. Petersburg gay rights activists has filed a complaint against the city’s authorities with the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, local media reported on Saturday.
St. Petersburg Gays to Rally despite Ban
16:17 06/07/2012 ST. PETERSBURG, July 6 (RIA Novosti)
The St. Petersburg gay and transsexual community will stage a parade despite the city council’s ban on the event, organizer Yury Gavrikov said on Friday.
LGBT Rally Approved by St. Petersburg Authorities
20:40 04/07/2012 ST. PETERSBURG, July 4 (RIA Novosti)
St. Petersburg authorities have approved for the first time an event in support of civil rights for Russia’s gay and transsexual community, an organizer said on Wednesday.
Russian Lawmaker Threatens 'Harsh Laws' if Madonna Strips
14:56 04/07/2012 MOSCOW, July 4 (RIA Novosti)
A Russian lawmaker who authored a controversial law banning "homosexual propaganda" has threatened to fine U.S. pop star Madonna if she undresses at her upcoming performance in St. Petersburg, the tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets reported.
St. Pete Police to Look for Gay Propaganda in Recent Campaign
18:41 23/05/2012 ST. PETERSBURG, May 23 (RIA Novosti)
St. Petersburg police on Wednesday said they will investigate whether the actions of the recent sanctioned gay parade in one of the city parks involved elements of gay propaganda.
Attack on Gays in St. Petersburg Spreads to Migrant Workers
14:39 18/05/2012 MOSCOW, May 18 (RIA Novosti)
Several dozen masked individuals attacked the first sanctioned gay demonstration in St. Petersburg and vented their anger on migrant workers after police drove the gays from the scene, Fontanka.ru said.
Masked Individuals Hurl Stones at Buses After Gay-Rights Rally in St. Petersburg
13:04 18/05/2012
A group of unknown masked individuals hurled rocks at buses at a gay-rights rally in St. Petersburg, dedicated to the International Day Against Homophobia.
Half of Russians Believe Media Makes People Gay – Poll
17:24 17/05/2012 MOSCOW, May 17 (RIA Novosti)
Almost half of Russians believe homosexuality is a human behavior acquired under the influence of the media, according to a poll taken by state-run pollster VTsIOM earlier this month.
First 'Gay Propaganda' Fine Handed out in St. Petersburg
13:53 04/05/2012 ST. PETERSBURG, May 4 (RIA Novosti)
Russia's most vocal gay rights campaigner has become the first person to be fined under a new law banning homosexual "propaganda" in St. Petersburg, the country's second city.
Church Activists Picket Gay Film Festival
12:19 27/04/2012 MOSCOW, April 27 (RIA Novosti)
Activists from a fundamentalists Russian Orthodox organization held a protest before the opening ceremony of an international gay and lesbian film festival in Moscow, the Ridus information agency reported on Thursday.
Gay Teen Put into Rehab After Coming Out
15:11 25/04/2012 MOSCOW, April 25 (RIA Novosti, Alexey Eremenko)
In a coming-out story to discourage many adolescent Russians from leaving the closet, a gay teenager in the Moscow region was put away in a drug clinic by his irate traditionalist father.
Activists Set Date for Gay Pride Parade
18:53 24/04/2012 MOSCOW, 24 April (RIA Novosti)
Gay activists plan to hold a gay pride parade in Moscow on May 27, where the main theme of the event will be bans on "gay propaganda" in Russia, the leader of the Russian LGBT movement, Nikolai Alekseyev, said.
Rights Activists Protest 'Gay Propaganda' Law
18:55 23/04/2012 MOSCOW, April 23 (RIA Novosti)
Gay rights activists protested at the Moscow City Duma on Monday afternoon against a law banning "gay propaganda" among minors that could be imposed by the Moscow authorities.
Majority of Russians Oppose ‘Gay Propaganda’
18:35 19/04/2012 MOSCOW, April 19 (RIA Novosti)
Most Russians have never faced “gay propaganda” but still support a ban on it, according to a poll published on Thursday.
Russian Gay Rights Leader Detained in St. Petersburg
18:13 12/04/2012 MOSCOW, April 12 (RIA Novosti)
A leader of the Russian LGBT movement, Nikolai Alekseyev, has been detained in a one-man picket in St. Petersburg protesting against a new local law that bans "gay propaganda" among minors, GayRussia.ru website reported on Thursday.
Gay Rights Activists Detained for ‘Gay Propaganda’ Released
18:43 07/04/2012 ST. PETERSBURG, April 7 (RIA Novosti)
Two gay rights activists detained by police on Saturday for picketing against the law that bans "gay propaganda" among minors have been released after police compiled a report of administrative offence, a representative of St. Petersburg’s LGBT group said.
Gay Rights Activists Arrested Under New St. Pete Law
14:54 06/04/2012 ST. PETERSBURG, April 6 (RIA Novosti)
Police in St. Petersburg arrested two gay rights activists on Thursday for violating a new local law that bans "gay propaganda" among minors, police said.
Gay Propaganda Bill Challenged in Court
21:11 02/04/2012 ST. PETERSBURG, April 2 (RIA Novosti)
Gay rights activists on Monday asked a court to strike down a controversial bill passed by St. Petersburg legislature and prohibiting “propaganda” of homosexuality and pedophilia among minors.
Russia to Consider Nationwide 'Gay Propaganda' Ban
16:02 29/03/2012 MOSCOW, March 29 (RIA Novosti)
A Siberian regional legislature submitted to the Russian parliament a bill to make promotion of homosexuality among minors an administrative offense, the State Duma said on its website on Thursday.
Madonna to Support Russia’s Gays at St. Petersburg Show
12:26 22/03/2012 MOSCOW, March 22 (RIA Novosti)
Madonna will "speak up" at her upcoming St. Petersburg show in support of Russia’s gay community, following a ban on gay propaganda imposed by the city authorities.
Gay Activists Seek Travel Ban for Propaganda Law Backers
16:53 19/03/2012 ST. PETERSBURG, March 19 (RIA Novosti)
Gay rights activists in St. Petersburg have sent letters to governments of U.S., EU, Australia and Canada asking them to ban entry for city officials behind the controversial gay propaganda ban.
Canada Warns St. Petersburg Gay Travellers
11:23 17/03/2012 MOSCOW, March 17 (RIA Novosti)
Canada's foreign ministry has warned gay travellers to "tread carefully" in St. Petersburg as the city's law banning homosexual "propaganda" comes into force, the National Post newspaper reports.
Sochi Court Denies Registration to Gay Group
21:30 14/03/2012 MOSCOW, March 14 (RIA Novosti)A Sochi appeals court has upheld a lower court ruling denying registration to Pride House, a local gay movement, saying it constitutes a threat to Russia’s sovereignty, the Yugopolis news portal said on Wednesday.

Church Official Urges Nationwide 'Gay Propaganda' Law
16:34 12/03/2012 MOSCOW, March 12 (Alexei Korolyov, RIA Novosti)
A new law in Russia's second city, St. Petersburg, that imposes fines for spreading "gay propaganda" among minors should be implemented nationwide, an Orthodox Church official said on Monday, a day after the legislation was signed by the city's governor.
'Gay Propaganda' Ban Comes into Force in St Petersburg
18:32 11/03/2012 ST. PETERSBURG, March 11 (RIA Novosti)
St. Petersburg’s Governor Georgy Poltavchenko on Sunday signed off a law penalizing "the propaganda of homosexuality and pedophilia among minors."
St. Petersburg Approves Fines for 'Gay Promotion'
17:18 08/02/2012 MOSCOW, February 8 (RIA Novosti)St. Petersburg’s city legislature approved on Wednesday a bill imposing fines up to $16,700 for the promotion of homosexuality.

Russia Lawmakers Back Fines for 'Gay Promotion'
18:07 02/02/2012 MOSCOW, February 2 (Alexei Korolyov, RIA Novosti)
The city legislature in the central Russian town of Kostroma approved a bill on Thursday which would see fines for the promotion of homosexuality.
Gays Detained After Unsanctioned Rally on Red Square
10:40 20/01/2012 MOSCOW, January 20 (RIA Novosti)Three people who took part in an unsanctioned gay rally on Moscow’s Red Square were detained on Thursday night, police said.

Protests over Russian 'gay propaganda' bill
18:22 26/12/2011 MOSCOW, December 26 (RIA Novosti, Alexei Korolyov)Gay rights activists staged protests in the central Russian city of Kostroma on Monday against plans to impose fines for the promotion of homosexuality.

Russian gays plead for letup in Kremlin crackdown
16:04 02/12/2011 MOSCOW, December 2 (RIA Novosti)
Russia’s LGBT community on Friday called for an end to what they see as an ongoing crackdown spearheaded by the ruling United Russia party.
Moscow mayor pledges no gay pride parades on his watch
23:27 24/11/2011 MOSCOW, November 24 (RIA Novosti)
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reiterated on Thursday his opposition to the holding of gay pride events in the Russian capital.
St.Petersburg gay bill violates minorities' rights - U.S.
05:56 24/11/2011 WASHINGTON, November 24 (RIA Novosti)
The United States is concerned about a bill by St. Petersburg's city legislature imposing fines for the promotion of homosexuality, a Department of State spokeswoman said.
St. Petersburg lawmakers shelve gay 'propaganda' bill vote
15:20 23/11/2011 MOSCOW, November 23 (RIA Novosti, Alexei Korolyov)
St. Petersburg’s city legislature has postponed debate on a bill imposing fines for the promotion of homosexuality after lawmakers failed to agree on its “legal definitions.”
Russia's gays under attack as MPs back fines for 'gay promotion'
17:07 18/11/2011 RIA Novosti correspondent Alexei Korolyov
Russia’s gay rights activists have come under intense fire after the city legislature in St. Petersburg approved a bill to impose fines for the "promotion" of homosexuality.
Police detain 40 gay parade opponents in downtown Moscow
18:41 01/10/2011 MOSCOW, October 1 (RIA Novosti)About 40 gay parade opponents were detained during an authorized gay rally on Saturday in downtown Moscow, the city's police said.

EU Council 'regrets' Moscow's gay parade clashes
21:12 30/05/2011
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjorn Jagland expressed regret on Monday over the crackdown on gay activists during an unsanctioned parade in Moscow at the weekend.
France urges Moscow to respect human rights after gay parade ban
17:18 30/05/2011
The French Foreign Ministry called on Russia on Monday to respect the right to freedom of expression and assembly, two days after gay activists were dispersed in the center of Moscow.
Over 30 gay parade supporters, opponents arrested in central Moscow
20:37 28/05/2011
Over 30 gay parade supporters and opponents were arrested on Saturday, the city's police representative said.
Amnesty International urges Moscow to permit gay parade
14:36 19/05/2011
Amnesty International is urging authorities in Moscow to reverse their decision to ban a gay parade.
Moscow bans gay parade
21:06 17/05/2011
Moscow's city government has officially rejected an application to hold a gay pride parade, the mayor's press service said on Tuesday.
Moscow allows first ever gay parade
16:04 26/04/2011
The Moscow city authorities gave official permission on Tuesday to hold the first ever gay pride march in the capital, in an important victory for the country's gay community, the parade's organizer said.
No gay parades in Moscow - Mayor Sobyanin
19:54 16/02/2011
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Wednesday that gay parades in Moscow are inadmissible, ruining hopes of the Russian gay community for holding sanctioned sexual minority events.
Russian gays not banned from military service - Putin
07:20 02/12/2010
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said during an interview with U.S. talk show host Larry King that gays are not banned from serving in the Russian armed forces but that the government does not support same-sex marriages.
Rally against gay parades held in Moscow
23:42 30/10/2010
A rally against gay parades, legalization of same-sex marriages and immorality propaganda gathered some 1,000 protesters on Bolotnaya Square in central Moscow on Saturday.
Strasbourg Court backs gay parades in Moscow
16:44 21/10/2010
The European Court of Human Rights ruled on Thursday that Moscow's ban on gay pride marches is illegal.
Russian patriarch slams Spanish gay marriage 'propaganda'
15:58 13/10/2010
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has decried gay relationship "propaganda" in Spanish secondary school textbooks.
Acting Moscow mayor denies backing gay parade
16:35 29/09/2010
Acting Moscow Mayor Vladimir Resin on Wednesday dismissed reports that a gay pride march had been officially sanctioned for the first time in the Russian capital.
Moscow court upholds ban on gay parade
18:56 28/05/2010
Tverskoy district court ruled on Friday to uphold Moscow City Government's ban on a gay pride parade in the city centre, Gay rights activist Nikolai Alexeyev told Russian Agency of Legal and Court Information (RAPSI).
Moscow court to hear Gay Russia lawsuit against city government
21:52 27/05/2010
Moscow’s Tverskoy district court will hear on Saturday a law suit filed by the Gay Russia organization against the Moscow City Government for the prohibition of gay pride parades in the Russian capital.
Moscow authorities ban gay pride march for 5th time
21:32 20/05/2010
The Moscow city government has rejected an application to hold gay pride parade in the Russian capital for the fifth straight year, the event's organizer said on Thursday.
Moscow renews vow to ban 'satanic' gay parades
17:38 25/01/2010
Moscow mayor Yury Luzhkov, known for his negative attitude toward sexual minorities, said Monday he will not allow gay parades in the Russian capital, calling them "satanic."
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Gay Propaganda Ban in Russia
A law penalizing “the propaganda of homosexuality and pedophilia among minors” came into force in St. Petersburg in March, to mixed reactions among Russians where anti-gay sentiment remains strong. A similar bill was introduced in the federal parliament while Moscow is also considering a ban on “sodomy” promotion.








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