Putin signs anti-gay Bill

The law will levy fines for such offenses from 800 000 rubles ($24 000) to 1 million rubles ($30 500) for legal entities, from 4 000 rubles ($120) to 5 000 rubles ($150) for individuals and from 40 000 rubles ($1 220) to 50 000 rubles ($1 530) for officials. Legal entities may also be suspended for 90 days for the promotion of “non-traditional sexual relations” toward children.

Promotion of such relations with the use of mass media or Internet resources will see harsher penalties of 50 000-100 000 rubles ($1 520 – 3 050) for individuals, 100 000 – 200 000 rubles ($3 050 – 6 115) for officials and 1 million rubles or 90-day suspension for legal entities. While the law’s proponents argue it is aimed at protecting children from harmful influences, critics allege the move is part of a broader crackdown on Russia’s gay community.

Russia has come under international criticism, including from the European Court of Human Rights, for its treatment of the gay community. Putin reiterated on Tuesday that the rights of sexual minorities in Russia were not being violated in any way. —RIA Novosti.