Russia passes bill to expand its "LGBT propaganda" law, critics call it part of "war" with West

Russia's lower house of parliament approved a bill on Thursday that would widen its ban on so-called "LGBT propaganda," and "demonstration" of LGBTQ behaviour.

Under the original ban, any action or information that was considered an attempt to promote homosexuality, whether in public, online or in films, books or advertising, to children would incur a heavy fine. However, the updated law would outlaw promotion of LGBTQ lifestyles aimed at all ages.

Critics say it was part of Russia's "war" with the "unified West for traditional values." Ksenia Mikhailova, a lawyer with Russian LGBTQ support organization "Coming Out," also raised caution that the expansion of the ban would "outlaw every person who 'comes out.'"

The bill would still need approval of the upper house of parliament and President Vladimir Putin before coming into force.

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