Putin’s campaign video warns of gay adoptions
An online video telling Russians that gay couples would be able to adopt children unless a referendum backs constitutional reforms to keep President Vladimir Putin in power until 2036 has been removed by YouTube.
The 78-second video was produced by a media group believed to be financed by Yevgeny Prigozhin, known as ‘‘Putin’s chef’’ because his companies provide catering services to the Kremlin.
The clip, set in 2035, shows a boy distraught on meeting his new adoptive parents, a gay couple who hand him a dress, right. A member of staff at the fictional orphanage spits in disgust.
A voice at the end of the clip asks: ‘‘Is this the Russia you want? Decide the future of the country. Vote for the amendments to the constitution.’’
Only heterosexual couples are allowed to adopt children in Russia and a new constitutional amendment defines marriage as a ‘‘union between a man and a woman’’.
Moscow has barred the adoption of Russian children by gay couples and single people in foreign countries that allow same-sex marriage. Although homosexuality is not outlawed in Russia, it is illegal to promote ‘‘non-traditional’’ sexual relations to children.
YouTube removed the video after Stimul, a Russian LGBT+ rights group, said that it incited hatred. It can still be seen on VKontakte, a Russian website, where it has had about a million views.
Under a proposed amendment, ‘‘the clock’’ would be reset on the number of terms that Putin, 67, can serve. A nationwide plebiscite on the reforms will be held on July 1. Putin has forged close ties with the Russian Orthodox Church. In February he repeated his opposition to same-sex marriage, saying: ‘‘As long as I’m president this will not happen. There will be dad and mum.’’
Alexander Filimonenko, an actor who played one of the gay men, said he was not aware that the video would be used for political purposes. ‘‘I’d like to express my regret,’’ he said. He added that he would not be voting for Putin’s reforms.
A poll published last year by the Levada Centre found that 47 per cent of Russians supported equal rights for LGBT+ people. However, 18 per cent believed gays should be ‘‘liquidated’’. A third said that they would disown a friend who was found to be gay. – The Times