MOSCOW, November 30. /TASS/: The Russian Federation Council unanimously approved a law banning propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships, pedophilia and information capable of triggering a desire to change sex at a plenary session on Wednesday. The bill was backed by 153 senators.
The law introduces a ban on propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships, pedophilia and the dissemination of information about LGBT people in the media, the Internet, ads, literature and movies. It also bans calls for gender transition among teenagers: on the Internet, in the media, books, audiovisual sources, movies and advertisements.
A fine of 50,000 to 100,000 rubles has been set for citizens for dissemination of information or public actions "aimed at forming non-traditional sexual attitudes," their attractiveness, "distorted understanding of the social equivalence of traditional and non-traditional sexual relationships," if these actions do not involve criminal offenses. The penalty for officials will be from 100,000 to 200,000 rubles, and from 800,000 to 1 million rubles for legal entities.
The fines for propaganda targeting minors will double: for citizens they will be 100,000 to 200,000 rubles, for officials from 200,000 to 400,000 rubles, and for legal entities from 1 million to 2 million rubles. The latter may also be punished, as their activities may be suspended for up to 90 days.
In addition, the document prohibits issuing a film license to any movie that contains materials that promote non-traditional sexual relationships and preferences. The law also provides for the introduction of a mechanism restricting children's access to listening to or viewing LGBT information on paid services. Thus, the law prescribes a requirement to enter codes or perform other actions to confirm the age of the user. Access to LGBT information is prohibited for those under 18.
In addition, the law prohibits the sale of goods, including imported ones, containing sensitive information for the distribution of which administrative or criminal responsibility is prescribed. Also, the law ‘On protecting children from information harmful to their health and development’ has been amended, an article on the promotion of non-traditional sexual relationships, pedophilia and information that can trigger a child's desire to change their sex was also added to it.
According to Alexander Bashkin, a member of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building, the ban on the propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships and preferences and pedophilia earlier applied exclusively to actions against minors. Now, as he noted, the law applies to persons of any age. The senator added that the bill was introduced by representatives of all Duma factions and signed by about 400 deputies, including Council Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin. The law will enter into force from the date of its official publication.
