I was pretty horrified to read last night that the authorities in St Petersburg, Russia are in the final stages of creating a Bill that severely restricts freedom of expression and assembly for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in the city.
If passed the Bill will introduce fines for “public actions aimed at propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality, transgenderness amongst minors”.
This would contravene human rights laws around freedom of expression and freedom to assembly, as well as the right to non-discrimination and equality before the law, guaranteed by international human rights treaties to which Russia is a signatory.
The new law particularly impacts young people and groups. It will prevent young people from accessing or sharing LGBTI information vital to their health and wellbeing – including social groups, support networks, and sexual health information. It will restrict the activities and operations of LGBTI organisations in St Petersburg.
Discrimination against LGBTI people is already widespread in Russia. If this Bill is passed, it will legalise and promote discrimination against an already marginalised group of people.
If you're as horrified as I am please follow this link http://tinyurl.com/7q99vqg to email the authorities in St Petersburg, asking them not to roll back these basic human rights for LGBTI people in the city, and punish individuals for their sexual identity.
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