Russia seeks measure against promoting gay rights

The Kremlin has joined forces with the Russian Orthodox Church to push new legislation prohibiting public events promoting gay rights.

The parliamentary measure also would make it illegal to give minors “propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgenderism,” according to The Associated Press.

The legislative move comes as a counter to growing global acceptance of gay marriage.

France President Francois Hollande promised during his 2012 campaign to pass same-sex marriage laws — and despite widespread protests the past few weeks, he’s not turned back from his vow. British Prime Minister David Cameron came out in favor of same-sex marriage legislation last year.

Fast-forward to today, and media reports from alternative British news sites say Labour Party minister Paul Flynn is not “rallying for legislation that would allow royals in same-sex relationships to marry, or be in civil partnerships, and for their children to become heirs to the throne.”

Meanwhile, as the New York Daily News reported in December, President Obama’s views of gay marriage are decidedly in the “pro” camp.

“His personal view is that it’s wrong to prevent couples who are in loving committed relationships, and want to marry, from doing so,” White House spokesman Shin Inouye said, in the Daily News report.

Russia’s bill is aimed at pushing back on Western influence, the AP reports. Some Russian lawmakers, too, have blamed homosexuals for the reduced birth rates in the country and have suggested harsh penalties for gays, such as blocking them from government jobs — or even exile.

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