European Court of Human Rights rules that Russia's ‘gay propaganda’ ban is discriminatory

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Russia’s infamous ban on “propaganda of nontraditional sexual orientations in the presence of minors” is discriminatory and infringes on the freedom of self-expression. 

Only Russian judge Dmitry Dedov offered a dissenting opinion, arguing that positive depictions of being gay can harm children’s development and put them at risk of sexual violence.

The court awarded three Russian plaintiffs — all LGBT rights activists — roughly 50,000 euros in damages. Russia’s Justice Ministry says it will appeal the decision in the European Court’s Grand Chamber.

Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on Tuesday that the Kremlin is still studying the ECHR’s ruling, while stressing that the ban only applies to so-called “gay propaganda” in the presence of children.

Russia instituted the ban in 2013, introducing fines as high as 100,000 rubles, if such material is shared online. Between 2014 and 2016, Russian courts fined 14 people under this law.