On January 25, 2013 388 of the 390 members of the Russian Duma
voted in support of revising the draft of a bill that would ban
"homosexual propaganda". The Duma called for a revision on the
clarity of the words “homosexual” and “propaganda”, however, if this bill
eventually passes it would result in fines on individuals and organizations
that participate in "promoting" homosexuality to minors under the age
of 18. This draft has portrayed a message to the public that has sparked
violence towards the LGBT community including shouting discriminatory slurs, sending
death threats through social media sites, throwing objects, and beatings. In
one case, anti-protestors threw a woman to the ground and began kicking her. In
a similar incident a man was thrown to the ground and beaten, and later was
hospitalized due to a concussion.
Discussion of the bill had been delayed until May this year, and
still requires three more readings, and a signature from the president before
it is passed. Nevertheless the effects for the LGBT community will surely
continue, and even more devastating consequences will arise if the bill is
passed.
It is so
disheartening to hear of such hate and discrimination towards a group of
people, and really makes me wonder why these anti-protestors think they are
better than any other group of people. It especially makes me wonder why they
think they are better when they display so much violence and brutality. They
argue that they want to protect their children from homosexuality, but never
think that maybe they should protect them from the violence and brutality they
are flaunting. Education and exposure to homosexuality has proven to have no
negative effects for children, yet discriminatory and violent acts create many
dangers. I hope the social movement these LGBT protestors are fighting for
begins to gain momentum and turns these homophobic views flat.
Reference:
http://www.eurasiareview.com/28012013-russia-reject-homophobic-bill-says-hrw/
3:16 PM 02/01/2013
Stephanie Symonds
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