This week, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his claim that the rights of LGBT Russians were not being violated under the country's new, vehemently antigay legislation. RIA Novosti reports:
When asked about a recently passed bill that would impose fines of up to 1 million rubles ($30,000) for promoting homosexuality toward minors, Putin said that sexual minorities "are full fledged members of our society and are not being discriminated against in any way."
"It's not about imposing some sort of sanctions on homosexuality…It's about protecting children from such information," Putin said.
"Certain countries…think that there is no need to protect [children] from this…But we are going to provide such protection the way that State Duma [parliamentary] lawmakers have decided. We ask you not to interfere in our governance," he said.
Back in April, we reported on all the LGBT Russians and allies who have enjoyed the country's warm, non-discriminatory reception.
