A new proposal put forward by two Russian politicians would see gay men who declare they are gay being locked up for a fortnight.
The proposal was put forward as a draft bill by two senior members of the Communist party.
Ivan Nikitchuk and Nikolai Arefyev are proposing a fine of up to 5,000 rubles (AUD$112) be given to people who publicly say they are gay.
The pair also propose harsher penalties for those who come out in educational institutions or government offices, suggesting that hey should serve up to 15 days in police cells.
One of the backers of the new law said homosexuality threatened the existence of mankind as it did not lead to reproduction.
“I believe that the problem we have raised is one of the most pressing and topical issues as it addresses the social ills of our society and deals with the moral education of the next generation,” Nikitchuk told Russian newspaper Izvestia, “In the biological sense, not reproducing is the same as death, and in that sense homosexuality is a lethal threat for the whole of humankind.”
The politicians have said they are proposing harsher laws because Russia’s current anti-gay propaganda laws don’t do enough.
Two years ago Russian President Vladimir Putin signed off on laws which make it illegal to promote of discuss homosexuality in the presence of minors.
The proposal does not appearing be getting widespread support though, even leading anti-gay politician Vitaly Milonov, who was one of the backers of the propoganda laws, has questioned it’s need.
“We can’t sentence people to 15 days just for admitting (their sexual orientation),” Mr Milonov told AFP. “Of course if it’s propaganda, that’s a different matter.”
OIP Staff
