"We have no laws against people with non-traditional sexual orientation.... You [the Western media] kind of create an illusion among millions of spectators that we do have such laws, but we do not. Russia has adopted the law banning propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors, but these are completely different things"
-Vladimir Putin
History
Russia has been homophobic since the time of the Russian Empire. The earliest accounts of discrimination against LGBTs was in the early 17th century. Men were put to death and women were burned at the stake. Political opponents of Ivan the Terrible claimed that he was gay in an attempt to dishonor him. In 1832, any one convicted under Article 995, a law banning gay marriage/relationships, would be sent to Siberia for 4-5 years and stripped of their rights.
After the Russian Revolution, "Free Love" was legalized in the Soviet Union. Vladimir Lenin, Premier of the Soviet Union, decriminalized homosexuality in USSR until Stalin's takeover of leadership in 1933. After 1933, men proven to be in homosexual relationships would have up to 5 years of hard labor in prison. Lesbianism was never addressed during this time. After Stalin died Nikita Khrushchev rose to power. He decided that the Soviet Union could do without their marriage, divorce and abortion laws though the anti-gay laws were kept.
The fall of the Soviet Union brought the Russian Federation and pressure from the European Council to legalize homosexual acts between males. President Boris Yeltsin signed a bill into a law that did just that. Though Yeltsin and the Russian Parliament created this reform, they showed no interest in LGBT rights.
After the Russian Revolution, "Free Love" was legalized in the Soviet Union. Vladimir Lenin, Premier of the Soviet Union, decriminalized homosexuality in USSR until Stalin's takeover of leadership in 1933. After 1933, men proven to be in homosexual relationships would have up to 5 years of hard labor in prison. Lesbianism was never addressed during this time. After Stalin died Nikita Khrushchev rose to power. He decided that the Soviet Union could do without their marriage, divorce and abortion laws though the anti-gay laws were kept.
The fall of the Soviet Union brought the Russian Federation and pressure from the European Council to legalize homosexual acts between males. President Boris Yeltsin signed a bill into a law that did just that. Though Yeltsin and the Russian Parliament created this reform, they showed no interest in LGBT rights.
Current
Russia has recently introduced a law banning minors to be subjected to propaganda supporting gay rights. Doing anything in support of gay rights can result in a fee of $31,000.
Protesting arose during the Sochi Winter Olympics. Protesters called for boycotting the Olympics because of Russia's new propaganda law. Many protesters were arrested for the duration of the Olympics and many athletes in the Olympics disapproved of Russia's harshness, though none were arrested.
Protesting arose during the Sochi Winter Olympics. Protesters called for boycotting the Olympics because of Russia's new propaganda law. Many protesters were arrested for the duration of the Olympics and many athletes in the Olympics disapproved of Russia's harshness, though none were arrested.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said it is "an incitement to intolerance, which breeds hate. And intolerance and hate breed violence."