January 15, 2016 -The Russian parliament will on Tuesday, January 19, hold a public hearing on an anti-gay bill which proposes jail term for public display of affection by homosexuals and lesbians.
The bill was first introduced in October 2015 by two Communist Party members, Ivan Nikitchuk and Nikolai Arefyev.
The bill proposes fines of between four and five thousand Rubles (US$53-$66) for “s kissing, hold of hands and other public expression of non-traditional sexual relations, manifested in a public demonstration of personal perverted sexual preferences in public places.”
However, If such public displays occur “on territories and in institutions, providing educational, cultural or youth services,” the offender could face an additional penalty of up to 15 days of administrative arrest.
