Openly Gay? Don't Visit Russia
Gay rights have been steadily progressing in America. Activists rejoiced the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and the fall of Proposition 8 in the Supreme Court. There’s still a long way to go before gay couples and straight couples have true equality in the US, but steps are moving in the right direction. So it’s particularly disheartening that things are going the opposite way in Russia — where you can now be arrested for pretty much just being openly gay.
Yes, Russia, America’s eternal frenemy, has decided to take a stance against "homosexual propaganda." Under these new laws, anyone caught disseminating such "propaganda" to minors can be fined up to the equivalent of $156 and up to $6,250 if the information is disseminated through media (including the Internet). And what exactly qualifies as "homosexual propaganda"? Anything from hand holding to speaking in support of same sex marriage applies. Even wearing something with a rainbow logo (which has been adopted as a symbol of gay pride) can get the attention of Russian officials.
And the law doesn't just punish homosexuals. A straight citizen and suspected of being "pro-gay," (say, having a gay friend or speaking positively about gay rights), can also be arrested as well. It's all part of the country's efforts to put a new emphasis on "traditional marriage," and protect children from the "pro-gay propaganda" that permeates Western culture. Same-sex couples have also been blamed for declining birth rates in Russia.
Oh, the law doesn't apply just to Russians. If a citizen from another country visiting in Russia breaks the law, they can be held for 14 days, fined, and ultimately deported.
As might be expected, a lot of people have not responded well to this new legislation. Gay rights activists staged a rally in Moscow to protest the law. Police retaliated by arresting dozens of protestors. The activists faced opposition from their fellow citizens as well; nearly 200 supporters of the law came out to protest the protestors.
“The Olympics are an apolitical movement,” he said in an interview with Vocativ, a news media startup. “However the Olympics is also a celebration of humanity, and all sexualities are a part of humanity.”
How will this impact not only tourism in Russia, but the country's relations with the international community (particularly the United States?) Only time will tell, but for now one thing is true: If you're openly gay or support gay rights, Russia may not be the vacation spot for you.
[Pic via Flickr - BluEyedA73]
