Russia: A new bill has been passed in the city of St. Petersburg that will see individuals and organisations fined for spreading “homosexual propaganda” in the presence of children.

“Propaganda” is defined by the bill as “enticements, positive opinions and comments that promote non-traditional sexual and family relations to minors”. Information that can be banned by the bill is information that “could cause damage to the health or moral and spiritual development of minors, including by inducing them to form warped perceptions that traditional and non-traditional married relations are equally socially acceptable”.

The bill is one reading away from becoming law. Only one small liberal party opposes it.