Russian lawmakers vet new bill against LGBTQ ‘propaganda’

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian lawmakers have given preliminary approval to a bill that imposes tough new restrictions on activities to promote LGBTQ rights in the country.A 2013 Russian law banned what authorities deem to be the “propaganda” of “non-traditional sexual relations” to children. It has been used to stifle debate in any public context and to prevent demonstrations or any public gatherings with pro-LGBTQ content that a child could conceivably see or hear. The new bill unanimously approved by the lower house of Russia’s parliament Thursday on the first of three readings bans the “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relationships” entirely. It outlaws advertising, media and online resources, books, films and theater productions deemed to contain such propaganda.