Russia: Kaliningrad region approves anti-gay bill
A bill forbidding “homosexual propaganda” has passed in the Kaliningrad outpost of Russia, similar to those passed in other areas of the country, which proposals suggested should be made national laws.
The bill which will need the governor’s signature to become law, mirrors legislation which was passed in St Petersburg last February.
The Kaliningrad bill, as drafted by the United Russia Deputy, Oleg Bolychev, could impose 3,000-5,000 ruble (£60-100) fines for individuals, and 500,000 to 1 million (£10,000-20,000) ruble fines for organisations convicted of “promoting” homosexuality, the Moscow Times reports.
The St Petersburg law came under fire from the LGBT community, and human rights activists worldwide, however it has also been proposed that the law should be made federal. Fines can be issued to people breaking the law in St Petersburg.
Despite this, a bid to make the ant-gay laws federal is pending approval by the State Duma, which the Prime Minister admitted could be the case.