By IANS,
Moscow : Russia’s gay community Friday called for an end to what they see as an ongoing crackdown spearheaded by the ruling United Russia party.
The appeal came after Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak and St. Petersburg governor Georgy Poltavchenko spoke in favour of a city draft law that would penalise the promotion of homosexuality.
St. Petersburg city authorities said the bill is aimed against paedophilia.
“A similar law should be considered at the federal level as well,” said the deputy prime minister.
Igor Kochetkov, head of the Russian LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) Network, said: “We promote equal rights and respect for human dignity for each and everyone. There is nothing dangerous or immoral about that.”
“Mixing up homosexuality and paedophilia is either blatant ignorance or brazen provocation, insulting to millions of people — gays and lesbians,” Kochetkov said.
He said the draft law was “absurd and promotes stupidity”.
“Politically, this is dangerous populism, which will only heighten tension in the country,” he said.
He urged the ruling United Russia to end the “hysteria”, saying the persecution of gays has always been a “hallmark of totalitarian regimes”.
Under the St. Petersburg city bill, “public activities promoting sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgender identity” among minors are punishable by a fine of up to 3,000 rubles (around $100) for individuals and up to 50,000 rubles (around $1,600) for organisations.