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Russian president Vladimir Putin has signed a controversial law that punishes people for “homosexual propaganda.” The law fines people—including tourists—up to 200,000 rubles ($6,240 CDN) for “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations…”
So what is considered pro-gay? Anything from gay-affirmative speech to hand-holding; even displaying a rainbow flag alongside a maple leaf on your backpack is illegal. …with such vague definitions, one wonders if anyone who even looks like they might be gay could also be fined or deported from the country.
This could cause problems for visiting athletes during the '14 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Meanwhile, the Brazilians are courting gay tourists for the '14 World Cup and the '16 Summer Olympics…
DMark
July 12, 2013, 3:37pm
2
My guess is that many countries will have a problem with this…and yeah, this could cause some threats of boycotts. Whether any countries will follow through on the threats is another question, but I can see at least Germany and Holland and Denmark and several of the northern European countries, as well as Canada, putting a foot down.
My guess is that Obama might have a conversation with Putin regarding this as well…
What is with Russia and its sudden hatred of gays?!
Yeah, what is it with gays and the recently-divorced, bare-chested, bear-wrestling Russian president?
Disappointing, though not surprising.
I agree with DMark .
It’s messed up that Putin is kissing religious conservatives’ ass. Former Soviet KGB hard ass turned religious pussy boy.
Oh, well. It’s just starting. The EU isn’t going to let this go for long and we’ll see this ridiculous law upended.
The EU has little, if any, influence on Russian domestic affairs.
I guess if Putin wants to put Russia right down there with the Muslim Brotherhood. How’s that working out in the ME?
Putin’s Russia bears a much more striking resemblance to right wing American politics than the Muslim Brotherhood. That’s not meant as a pointed jab at right wing American politics but more in helping draw more accurate analogies.
Coincidentally, I’ve been thinking lately that religious conservatives in the US are remarkably similar to the Muslim Brotherhood. It’s all about politicizing religion, and instituting your preferred religion in place of the current secular democracy.
Oh well. Back to Russia. It’s stupid, and I wonder what the game is, because I don’t actually think Putin cares one way or another about gays. Russia is a country where guys hold hands and kiss when they’re straight. Or used to in Putin’s day.
My understanding is that Putin’s social conservativism is fueled by his conservative, iron fistedl, traditionalist views than on any influence the Russian Orthodox Church could ever exert over him. In fact, to him, the church is simply another useful tool in the arsenal of controlling the population to the will of the gov’t.
levdrakon:
Oh well. Back to Russia. It’s stupid, and I wonder what the game is, because I don’t actually think Putin cares one way or another about gays. Russia is a country where guys hold hands and kiss when they’re straight. Or used to in Putin’s day.
Maybe that’s it. Make everyone a criminal, then use selective enforcement as a weapon against anyone you don’t like.
Or maybe he’s just catering to bigots.
Are they going to arrest openly gay Russian presidents also?
So, no dessert sharing in Russia, then.
bup
July 12, 2013, 6:24pm
15
Indeed. They just made men’s figure skating illegal.
Kenm
July 12, 2013, 6:24pm
16
They didn’t arrest the Russian president who gets off kissing little girls’ torsos.
I guess it’s not all bad.
Separate straws, at least. Avoid the rainbow ones.
Grrr
July 12, 2013, 7:00pm
19
levdrakon:
Coincidentally, I’ve been thinking lately that religious conservatives in the US are remarkably similar to the Muslim Brotherhood. It’s all about politicizing religion, and instituting your preferred religion in place of the current secular democracy.
.
I’ve been thinking that for a long time.
A comparison of Fundie Muslims, righty repubs and progressives:
Let’s compare and contrast some of the views of progressives and conservatives to Muslims.
Separation of Church and State. Many Muslim countries have governments based on religious law. Similarly, most U.S. conservatives also believe government should reflect religious doctrine like the Ten Commandments. Progressives, however, believe government and religion should both be respected, but kept separate.
Women’s rights. In many Muslim cultures, women have fewer rights than men and are expected to obey their husbands. Many conservatives also believe that men should be dominant and women should obey their husbands. Progressives tend to believe women should be equal to men both at home and in society.
Abortion. Fundamentalist Muslims believe it should be outlawed. So do most conservative Republicans. Progressives believe it should be a woman’s choice.
Homosexuality. Considered evil and punishable by death in some Muslim countries. Also considered evil by most conservatives who oppose equal rights for gays. Progressives generally support gay rights including gay marriage and service in the military.
Multiculturalism. Muslim extremists do not tolerate other cultures and religions very well. American Conservatives also oppose “multiculturalism”. Progressives are more likely to embrace the influence of different cultures.
Fundamentalist Muslims believe it’s important to spread their faith throughout the world. Many Christian conservatives also believe it’s their duty to convert everyone to their faith. Progressives believe everyone is entitled to their own religious beliefs
Death penalty. Employed in most Muslim countries for serious crimes. Also gleefully supported by most American Conservatives. However, many progressives are more inclined to oppose the death penalty
In many Muslim countries, religious doctrine is taught in public schools. Many conservatives also support teaching religious beliefs in school, even to the exclusion of accepted scientific facts. Progressives, however, believe religion should be a private matter and not taught in public schoolshttp://www.addictinginfo.org/2011/11/11/islamic-fundamentalism-and-the-american-right-wing-a-love-story/#ixzz2YrL2TbOV
I don’t think men’s figure skating is in danger. I suspect the Olympics will be exempt.
It does seem that Russia is sliding back towards a dictatorship.
