Can't praise LGBTQ relationships under Vladimir Putin's new law: What it means

Vladimir Putin: The new laws significantly broaden the scope of a 2013 law which banned the dissemination of LGBTQ-related information.

Russian president Vladimir Putin signed into law a bill that expands a ban on so-called LGBTQ “propaganda” in Russia, making it illegal for anyone to promote same-sex relationships or suggest that non-heterosexual orientations are “normal.” The ban comes just days after a harsh new “foreign agents” law came into effect in Russia.

Vladimir Putin: Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen. (Reuters)

The new laws significantly broaden the scope of a 2013 law which banned the dissemination of LGBTQ-related information. It makes it illegal to promote or “praise” LGBTQ relationships, publicly express non-heterosexual orientations or suggest that they are “normal.”

The law also includes heavier penalties for anyone promoting “non-traditional sexual relations and/or preferences,” as well as pedophilia and gender transition. It will be banned across the internet, media, books, audiovisual services, cinema, and advertising.

Under the new law, individuals can be fined up to 400,000 rubles ($6,370) for “LGBT propaganda” and up to 200,000 rubles ($3,185) for “demonstrations of LGBT and information that encourages a change of gender among teenagers.” These fines rise to up to 5 million rubles ($80,000) and 4 million rubles ($64,000) respectively for legal entities.

The law was approved by the Russia’s upper and lower houses in recent weeks.

Homosexuality was decriminalized in Russia in 1993, but homophobia and discrimination is still rife.