LGBTQ ‘propaganda’ bill given final approval

MOSCOW >> Russian lawmakers on Thursday gave their final approval to a bill that significantly expands restrictions on activities seen as promoting gay rights in the country, another step in a years-long crackdown on the country’s embattled LGBTQ community. The new bill expands a ban on what authorities call “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” to minors, established by legislation dubbed the “gay propaganda” law. It was adopted by the Kremlin in 2013 in an effort to promote “traditional values” in Russia. This year, the lawmakers moved to ban spreading such information to people aged 18 and older. The bill was approved in the third and final reading on Thursday by the State Duma, the lower house of parliament.