A second reading is underway to prohibit the ‘so-called propaganda of “sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderism, and paedophilia to minors”’ in St Petersburg!

This reading into law goes against Russia’s international human rights obligations and not to say ‘common sense’.

St Petersburg is now the fourth region to adopt and implement similar laws within Russia (Ryazan (2006), Arkangelsk (2011), and in Kostroma (2011)).

Many organizations and other legal entities have voices their objections to these changes and in reality to the persecution of the LGBT community who live in the regions.   What is even more worrying is that some Russian politicians have made statements suggesting the adoption of similar legislation at a federal level!

All Out have formulated a campaign which aims to pressurize the St Petersburg government by stressing how this will impact on their revenue (see link below).  Please do support this campaign and try and stop the avalanche of law changes which ultimately leads to oppression and to the continuance of bullying of the LGBT community.

Further articles:

• ILGa Europe – http://www.ilga-europe.org/home/guide/country_by_country/russia/ilga_europe_s_statement_on_st_petersburg_s_propaganda_law_adopted_today_in_2nd_reading
• The European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights – http://www.lgbt-ep.eu/press-releases/the-european-parliament-strongly-condemns-russias-lgbt-censorship-laws/
• Coming Out Saint-Petersburg LGBT-Organisation – http://www.comingoutspb.ru/en/en-home
• All Out Equality Everywhere – http://allout.org/en/actions/stpetersburg-dont-go