For whom how Russia bans LGBTQ+ ‘propaganda,’ the ‘imposition of information’ about homosexuality and ‘sex reassignment.’ Here’s the law broken down.

On November 24, Russia’s State Duma passed the third and final reading of legislation that bans all “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships.” Six days later, the Parliament’s upper chamber also approved the bills, which President Putin signed into law on December 5. The new rules enter into force immediately. LGBTQ+ “propaganda” has been banned in Russia since June 2013, but only among minors. The authorities have now significantly expanded the list of restrictions: “propaganda” and “impositions” are now prohibited in the presence of children and adults alike. The law applies to everything, including films, books, advertising, television, and social media. Below, breaks down what’s new in the cornerstone legislation that guides Russia’s state homophobia and transphobia. For a more detailed analysis of these requirements (in Russian), click here.

The law does not thoroughly lay out what it considers to be “propaganda.” That assessment has been left to the courts, which in the vast majority of cases have an accusatory bias.

During the discussion of the law, Vadim Subbotin, deputy head of Roskomnadzor, did offer one definition:

However, the law doesn’t include that definition. Roskomnadzor will likely make its own determinations — for example, blocking certain websites, and these may serve as a guide.

In turn, United Russia deputy and Duma Committee on Information Policy chairman Alexander Khinstein chose to explain what “propaganda” is, using Oscar Wilde as an example:

Penalties can also be levied for “the imposition of information” that might arouse interest in “sex reassignment” and homosexual relationships. The deputies also did not explain what “the imposition of information” means (although it is mentioned in the definition used by the Roskomnadzor to explain what “propaganda” means; see above).

Also concerning is the ambiguity of the wording “non-traditional sexual preferences” — it’s not clear what the court would consider “non-traditional.”

“Lawmakers are opening a ‘Pandora’s box.’ An undefined rule leads to unpredictability of its application. Unpredictability of application leads to arbitrariness. And arbitrariness means the inevitable violation of rights,” said Ivan Brikulsky, lawyer at the Institute for Law and Public Policy.

Note. This is a wide table with several columns. If you are viewing the material from your phone, you can scroll left and right. Blank lines mean that the new laws do not establish prohibitions directly, but in practice they may be introduced.

Deputies also banned ‘propaganda of pedophilia’