On July 3,
Mr. Putin signed a law banning the adoption of Russian-born children not only
to gay couples but also to any couple or single parent living in any country
where marriage equality exists in any form.
A few days
earlier, just six months before Russia hosts the 2014 Winter Games, Mr. Putin
signed a law allowing police officers to arrest tourists and foreign nationals
they suspect of being homosexual, lesbian or “pro-gay” and detain them for up
to 14 days. Contrary to what the International Olympic Committee says, the law
could mean that any Olympic athlete, trainer, reporter, family member or fan
who is gay — or suspected of being gay, or just accused of being gay — can go
to jail.
Earlier in
June, Mr. Putin signed yet another antigay bill, classifying “homosexual
propaganda” as pornography. The law is broad and vague, so that any teacher who
tells students that homosexuality is not evil, any parents who tell their child
that homosexuality is normal, or anyone who makes pro-gay statements deemed
accessible to someone underage is now subject to arrest and fines. Even a
judge, lawyer or lawmaker cannot publicly argue for tolerance without the
threat of punishment.
Finally, it
is rumored that Mr. Putin is about to sign an edict that would remove children
from their own families if the parents are either gay or lesbian or suspected
of being gay or lesbian. The police would have the authority to remove children
from adoptive homes as well as from their own biological parents.
Not
surprisingly, some gay and lesbian families are already beginning to plan their
escapes from Russia
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