President Putin of Russia came to the Netherlands in 2013, just before the anti-gay propaganda law was passed by the Russian parliament. Human rights fighters used the president’s visit to take action against Putin and Russia because of their anti-gay legislation. There were protest rallies. The law was eventually passed, not as an anti-gay law but as an anti-gay propaganda law. For example, after the introduction of this law, it is prohibited to fly the rainbow flag.
Russia and the anti-gay propaganda law
Russia prepared an anti-gay law in 2013 that it had to decide on in June 2013. The legislation that the Russian parliament decided on is the anti-gay propaganda law. Gays are further marginalized and isolated with this law. The law was passed.
After the introduction of this law, various expressions are punishable in Russia:
- Demonstrating for gay rights;
- giving a kiss in public;
- organizing gays.
It is strictly prohibited under this law to:
- To publish about homosexuality;
- disseminate information;
- display the rainbow flag;
- to print the rainbow flag anywhere;
- to provide information about homosexuality.
LGBT
The law affects the lives of LGBT activists. They are silenced.
LGBT stands for:
- Homo;
- Lesbian;
- Bisexual;
- Transgender.
Intimidation
From the moment this law was announced, violence in Russia increased and intimidation was rampant.
The implementation of the law also means that:
- LGBT activists and organizations can no longer do their work;
- Attacks on gay bars and clubs are legitimized;
- police do not provide protection;
- freedom of expression is severely restricted.
- human rights are violated.
Putin
President Vladimir Putin came to the Netherlands in the year of the controversial Russian law in the Netherlands. Many Dutch people seized the moment to speak out strongly against anti-gay legislation in Putin’s country. A protest meeting Stop the anti-gay law was organized
at the Oosterdok in Amsterdam on April 8, 2013. The meeting was organized by COC Netherlands .
Source: COC
Rainbow pin
COC Netherlands campaigned with the rainbow pin. Queen Beatrix and Prime Minister Rutte have been asked to wear a rainbow pin during Putin’s visit. In this way, the Queen and Prime Minister were able to express their solidarity with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBTs) in Russia. They did not wear the pin during their visit.
COC Netherlands has existed since 1946. The organization stands up for the interests of LGBTs. Equal rights, emancipation and social acceptance for all are paramount at the COC.
Homophobic
The vast majority of the Russian population is homophobic. The anti-gay propaganda law fuels this homophobia. This often manifests itself in violent behavior.
Even most Russian churches support anti-gay legislation. Russia and the Russian churches are committed to traditional family values. The umbrella organization of Christian LGBTs says: ,This appeal to family values has nothing to do with the Christian faith. The relationship of freedom, love and peace advocated by Jesus between all people who want to imitate Him puts all other relationships between people under criticism. Jesus himself indeed stands for inclusive family values, but first and foremost in the ‘sisterhood and brotherhood’ that arises where people want to follow their path of freedom, love and peace and that has very little to do with the conventional civility that the Putin’s government and the churches want to emulate in their appeal to so-called ‘family values’.,
Russian LGBTs cannot attend any Russian church. The churches in Eastern and Central Europe are called heartless in this regard .
Rainbow
The rainbow is the symbol of a colorful and pluralistic society where everyone can live in freedom. The rainbow is also the symbol of the demonstration against Putin on April 8, 2013. Participants are asked to dress in red, orange, yellow, green, blue or purple. In this way, the participants in the manifestation form a living rainbow together, under the motto: Can you stop the sun from shining? Can you punish the clouds when it rains? Can you stop the rainbow when it is in the sky? A sea of people, a protest in color: together we are the rainbow!
Russia turned the rainbow symbol into an Olympic symbol in the 2104 Sochi Olympic year. The anti-gay propaganda law was already in effect during the Winter Olympics in Sochi. Gay symbols were not allowed.
read more
- Bullied but Proud – Facebook page about bullying
- Homosexuality – acceptance in the Netherlands and Europe