132-627: Anti-LGBTQ rhetoric comprises themes, catchphrases , and slogans that have been used in order to demean lesbian , gay , bisexual , transgender , and queer ( LGBTQ ) people. Anti-LGBTQ rhetoric is widely considered a form of hate speech , which is illegal in countries such as the Netherlands , Norway , and Sweden . Anti-LGBTQ rhetoric often consists of moral panic and conspiracy theories. LGBTQ movements and individuals are often portrayed as subversive and foreign, similar to earlier conspiracy theories targeting Jews and communists . In 1969,
264-456: A "moral crusader"), argued that "traditional" relations between a man and a woman required special protection under Russian law. The amendment also expanded upon similar laws enacted by several Russian regions, including Ryazan , Arkhangelsk (who repealed its law shortly after the passing of the federal version), and Saint Petersburg . Mark Gevisser writes that the Kremlin 's backing of
396-527: A 1977 anti-gay rally in Houston, Texas, featuring Christian religious right figures such as Phyllis Schlafly and National Right to Life Committee founder Mildred Jefferson . The slogan was also used in "The Gay Bar," a 1977 episode of the sitcom Maude . In 1979, Jerry Falwell used the "Adam and Steve" slogan in a press conference cited in Christianity Today . During the initial outbreak of HIV/AIDS in
528-514: A Bible-based argument that homosexuality is sinful and unnatural. A 1970 editorial in Christianity Today quoted a graffito in San Francisco that read, "If God had wanted homosexuals, he would have created Adam and Freddy." In 1977, anti-gay activist Anita Bryant made a similar comment using the phrase "Adam and Bruce". The version with "Adam and Steve" first appeared on a protest sign at
660-488: A Russian judge blocked the establishment of a Pride House in Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics , ruling that it would "undermine the security of Russian society", and that it contradicted with public morality and policies "in the area of family motherhood and childhood protection." In August 2012, Moscow upheld a ruling blocking Nikolay Alexeyev's requests for 100 years' worth of permission to hold Moscow Pride annually, citing
792-532: A Saint Petersburg university campus by its installer, the West European Financial Union (ZEFS). It was alleged that the memorial was removed due to the law because it was in an area frequented by minors. In September 2015, Apple became the subject of an investigation by officials in Kirov for implementing emoji on its operating systems which depict same-sex relationships, over whether they may constitute
924-585: A biologically based phenomenon, it would still be diseased. The psychiatric establishment in the west once medicalized same-sex desire . In the United States, homosexuality was removed in 1973 as a mental disorder from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) as it did not meet the criteria for a mental disorder. The Catholic Church still officially teaches that "homosexual tendencies" are "objectively disordered". In 2016, anti-LGBT rhetoric
1056-510: A class of harmful content under the law was, according to the Government of Russia , intended to protect children from being exposed to content that portrays homosexuality as being a "behavioural norm". Emphasis was placed upon a goal to protect "traditional" family values ; bill author Yelena Mizulina (the chair of the Duma's Committee on Family, Women, and Children, who has been described by some as
1188-452: A customised gender, had been given an "18+" rating , restricting its sale to adults only. In contrast, the pan-European ratings board PEGI has historically rated The Sims games as being suitable for those aged 12 and over. In December 2016, the video game FIFA 17 (which is also published by Electronic Arts) was targeted for an event that allowed users to obtain rainbow-coloured shoelaces for their virtual footballers, in support of
1320-605: A documentary during the week of the Opening Ceremony entitled Hunted , which documented the violence and abuse against LGBT people in Russia in the wake of the law. In May 2014, it was revealed that in accordance with the propaganda law, the computer game The Sims 4 —a new installment in a life simulation game franchise published by Electronic Arts which has historically allowed characters to participate in same-sex relationships, and allowed players to give their characters
1452-468: A gay pride demonstration at Saint Petersburg's Field of Mars resulted in a violent clash between activists, protesters, and police. In January 2014, a letter, co-written by chemist Sir Harry Kroto and actor Sir Ian McKellen and co-signed by 27 Nobel laureates from the fields of science and the arts, was sent to Vladimir Putin urging him to repeal the propaganda law as it "inhibits the freedom of local and foreign LGBT communities." In February 2014,
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#17328545483271584-414: A group of perpetrators with a purposeful selection of a homosexual target)—for three years in a row (2017, 2018, 2019) there was an increase in organized hate crimes against LGBTQ people, attributed to the activity of homophobic hate groups. In most of the cases those hate groups used dating apps and websites in order to "hunt" homosexuals. Those attacks would oftentimes include physical abuse and harassment,
1716-525: A group of perpetrators. Between 2013 and 2018 there was an increase in the number of hate crimes against LGBTQ people. Such crimes existed before 2013, but the level of violence increased significantly after the introduction of the discriminatory legislation. The increase was recorded in the following year, and it remained on a higher level throughout the decade. It was reported that between 2010 and 2020 there were 1056 hate crimes committed against 853 individuals, with 365 fatalities. The number of crimes after
1848-573: A higher stage of society. Russian gay propaganda law For the Purpose of Protecting Children from Information Advocating a Denial of Traditional Family Values , commonly known as the Russian anti-LGBT law or as the Russian anti-gay law , is a law of Russia . It was unanimously passed by the State Duma on 11 June 2013 (with only one member abstaining— Ilya Ponomarev ), unanimously passed by
1980-473: A lifestyle that would imperil their physical and moral health." President of Russia Vladimir Putin answered to early objections to the then-proposed bill in April 2013 by stating that "I want everyone to understand that in Russia there are no infringements on sexual minorities' rights. They're people, just like everyone else, and they enjoy full rights and freedoms". He went on to say that he fully intended to sign
2112-583: A local ordinance protecting gay teachers against employment discrimination , anti-gay activist Anita Bryant stated, "A homosexual is not born, they are made". US president Ronald Reagan described the gay rights movement as opposed to American culture, saying the movement was "asking for a recognition and acceptance of an alternative lifestyle which I do not believe society can condone". Many conservative Christians consider homosexual acts to be inherently sinful based on common interpretations of scriptural passages such as Leviticus 18:22 ("You shall not lie with
2244-402: A male as with a woman; it is an abomination"), Leviticus 20:13 ("If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death, their blood is upon them"), and 1 Corinthians 6 :9–10 ("Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves,
2376-749: A metaphor for the desired national or racial community ( Volksgemeinschaft ). According to Nazi ideology, individuals' lives were to be subordinated to the Volkskörper like cells in the human body. Homosexuality was seen as a virus or cancer in the Volkskörper because it was seen as a threat to the German nation. The SS newspaper Das Schwarze Korps argued that 40,000 homosexuals were capable of "poisoning" two million men if left to roam free. Some of those who called homosexuality unnatural , such as Traditional Values Coalition head and Christian right activist Louis Sheldon , said that if it were proven to be
2508-420: A number of research projects and NGOs (two Russian NGOs—LGBT Initiative Group Stimul and SOVA Center and two international organization—OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights – ODIHR). In addition to this quantitative change, crimes against LGBTQ people have changed qualitatively: since the 2013 law, not only have they have become more violent, more often premeditated and more often committed by
2640-602: A people, there are a male and a female, there are Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve". The phrase has been reclaimed by LGBT people and used in blogs, comics, and other media mocking the anti-gay message. Homosexuality is sometimes claimed to be non-existent in some non-Western countries, or to be an evil influence imported from the West. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia employed anti-gay rhetoric as part of his "Asian values" program, describing homosexuality as one of several Western ills. Mohamad used it for political advantage in
2772-539: A photo of a naked person in a gay bar, "Let's defend ourselves against LGBT ideology and stop listening to those idiocies about human rights or equality. These people are not equal to normal people." In July 2020, the European Union announced that it will not provide funding to six Polish towns that have declared themselves " LGBT-free zones ", after nearly 100 local governments, a third of Poland's territory, declared themselves "free from LGBT ideology." On 1 August 2020,
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#17328545483272904-606: A pro-LGBT advocacy campaign backed by the English Premier League . MP Irina Rodnina stated that relevant authorities needed to "verify the possibility of distributing this game on the territory of the Russian Federation". In December 2016, Blizzard Entertainment geo-blocked a tie-in web comic for its game Overwatch in Russia for containing a scene of the character Tracer , who was confirmed as being lesbian , kissing her partner, another woman. Blizzard cited
3036-400: A promotion of non-traditional sexual relationships to minors. Roskomnadzor later ruled that by themselves, emoji depicting same-sex couples did not constitute a violation of the propaganda law, as whether they have a positive or negative connotation depends on their actual context and usage. In March 2018, Roskomnadzor ordered the prominent website Gay.ru to be blocked in the country due to
3168-694: A psychology professor at Kansas State University who studied why people like to cite films in social situations, using film quotes in everyday conversation is similar to telling a joke and a way to form solidarity with others. "People are doing it to feel good about themselves, to make others laugh, to make themselves laugh," he said. He found that all of the participants in his study had used film quotes in conversation at one point or another. "They overwhelmingly cited comedies, followed distantly by dramas and action adventure flicks." Horror films, musicals and children's films were hardly ever cited. The existence of catchphrases predates modern mass media. A description of
3300-585: A series of stereotyped behaviours. Christian right activists may worry that increasing LGBT rights will make the "gay lifestyle" more attractive to young people. US media in the 1970s frequently used the term " alternative lifestyle " as a euphemism for homosexuality, and the term was employed in an anti-gay context by opponents of the Equal Rights Amendment , as well as supporters of California's Proposition 6 , which would have barred openly gay teachers in public schools. In 1977, while campaigning against
3432-421: A social group" by the federal government. Reports surfaced of activity by groups such as ' Occupy Paedophilia ' and ' Parents of Russia ', who lured alleged "paedophiles" into "dates" where they were tortured and humiliated. In August 2013, it was reported that a gay teenager was kidnapped, tortured, and killed by a group of Russian Neo-Nazis . Violence also increased during pro-gay demonstrations; on 29 July 2013,
3564-765: A symbolic protest. However, Tregaro was forced to re-paint them after they were deemed a political gesture that violated the rules of the IAAF . In response, she re-painted them red as a symbol of love. Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva criticized Tregaro's gesture as being disrespectful to the host country, stating in a press conference that "we have our law which everyone has to respect. When we go to different countries, we try to follow their rules. We are not trying to set our rules over there. We are just trying to be respectful." After Isinbayeva's remarks attracted widespread criticism, she argued that her choice of words had been "misunderstood" due to poor English. The implications of
3696-522: A video project known as "From Russia With Love". The TV documentary Stephen Fry: Out There explored gay rights and homophobia in numerous countries in the world, including Russia. In it, Stephen Fry interviews a lesbian couple who discuss their fears that simply being out to their 16-year-old daughter and her friends could be taken as breaking this law, due to the law's prohibition "on anyone disseminating information about homosexuality to under 18s". The LGBT news magazine The Advocate described
3828-415: A view of homosexuals recruiting youth. A common slogan is "Homosexuals cannot reproduce — so they must recruit" or its variants. Supporters of recruitment allegations point at "deviant" and "prurient" sex education as evidence. They express concern that anti-bullying efforts teach that "homosexuality is normal, and that students shouldn't harass their classmates because they're gay", suggesting recruitment as
3960-612: Is "contrary to common sense and rational thinking". He also said that the LGBT community is "a lower form of social life". According to Krakow Post , a Polish newspaper, "LGBT is not an ideology ... The phrase 'LGBT ideology' makes about as much sense as 'redhead ideology' or 'left-handed ideology. ' " While the support of many LGBT people and their allies improved LGBT rights , they have differing political views. According to Notes from Poland, "attacks on 'LGBT ideology' – which often rely on exaggerated, distorted or invented claims – result in
4092-534: Is a Trojan Horse , or that it destroys families and humankind through homosexual recruitment which will lead to the extinction of humanity. The argument that homosexuals cause natural disasters has been around for more than a thousand years, even before Justinian blamed earthquakes on "unchecked homosexual behavior" in the sixth century. This trope was common in early modern Christian literature; homosexuals were blamed for earthquakes, floods, famines, plagues, invasions of Saracens , and field mice. This discourse
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4224-535: Is a general consensus that the law violates the European Convention of Human Rights , which Russia ratified. In the 2017 case Bayev and Others v. Russia brought by three Russian LGBT activists following their convictions under local anti-propaganda laws, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the laws in question violated the applicants' freedom of speech and right not to be discriminated against in
4356-406: Is a stylized four-leaf clover ), and "pedosexual". Starting in 2022, some conservatives, including Chaya Raichik of Libs of TikTok , started using the terms "grooming", "groomer" and "pro-pedophile" against their opponents and LGBT people over anti-LGBT legislation, such as laws restricting and banning discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. Critics say that these usages of
4488-451: Is divine punishment for homosexuality. During the early years of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, mainstream newspapers labeled it a "gay plague". For a few years, the misleading technical name for the disease was gay-related immune deficiency . The slogan "AIDS Kills Fags Dead" (a pun on the commercial slogan for Raid insecticide "Raid Kills Bugs Dead") appeared during the early years of AIDS in
4620-444: Is heterosexual. In all his actions, he relies on the laws of nature, therefore he does not allow any tolerance for homosexuals. He hates them, like all other vices. However, this one, unlike some of the others, cannot be cured. There might be former smokers and former alcoholics, but there cannot be former faggots Between 2010 and 2020 the research identified 205 cases of hate crimes committed by various homophobic hate groups. Moreover,
4752-466: Is immoral because it is unnatural, but opponents argue that this argument makes an is–ought conflation . Some proponents of the "unnaturalness" thesis argue that homosexual behavior is the result of " recruitment " or willful sinfulness. Nazi propaganda described homosexuality as a contagious disease but not in the medical sense. Rather, homosexuality was a disease of the Volkskörper (national body),
4884-637: Is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement." In August 2013, the International Olympic Committee "received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games", and also received word that the government would abide by the Olympic Charter. The IOC also confirmed that it would enforce Rule 50 of
5016-505: Is the easiest shorthand. This message plays particularly well for a government wishing to mobilize against demographic decline (childless homosexuals are evil) and cozy up to the Russian Orthodox Church (homosexuals with children are evil)." Human Rights Watch noted that Putin's enactment of the law allowed him to pander to socially conservative voters at home and "position Russia as a champion of so-called 'traditional values'" on
5148-645: Is used by the Westboro Baptist Church. Describing homosexuality as unnatural dates back to Plato , Aristotle , and Thomas Aquinas . However, there is no single definition of "unnatural". Some of those who argue that homosexuality is unnatural in the sense of being absent from nature, an argument refuted by the presence of homosexuality in animals . Others mean that the genitals were created for reproduction (either by God or natural selection) and are not intended to be used for purposes they deem " unnatural ". Proponents of this idea often argue that homosexuality
5280-675: The COVID-19 pandemic is divine retribution for same-sex activity or pride parades . Following the September 2001 attacks , televangelist Jerry Falwell blamed "the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle , the ACLU , People for the American Way" for provoking the aggression of Islamic fundamentalists and causing God to withdraw his protection for America. On
5412-568: The Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses , to prohibit the distribution of "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships" among minors. This definition includes materials that "raise interest in" such relationships, cause minors to "form non-traditional sexual predispositions", or "[present] distorted ideas about the equal social value of traditional and non-traditional sexual relationships." Businesses and organizations can also be forced to temporarily cease operations if convicted under
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5544-577: The European Union ) and are a threat to national independence and western civilization. Anti-government protests in Russia and the Euromaidan have also been portrayed by the Russian government as the work of an LGBT conspiracy. Furthermore, although Russia considers itself to be a European country, its government also considers its values as entirely different from those commonly seen within the European Union. More specifically, Russia used to protest against
5676-630: The Federation Council on 27 June 2013, and signed into law by President Vladimir Putin on 30 June 2013. The stated purpose of the Russian government for the law is to prevent the presentation of the LGBT community as a normal part of Russian society under the argument that LGBT rights in Russia contradict traditional Russian values. The statute amended the Russian law On Protecting Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development and
5808-622: The Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association , organizers of the World Outgames . Action was leveraged directly against Olympic sponsors and partners as well; in late-August 2013, the Human Rights Campaign sent letters to the ten Worldwide Olympic Partner companies, urging them to show opposition towards anti-LGBT laws, denounce homophobic violence, ask the IOC to obtain written commitments for
5940-560: The Greek junta exited the Council of Europe after being found in violation of the European Convention of Human Rights , judging that the European Commission of Human Rights was "a conspiracy of homosexuals and communists against Hellenic values". This discourse, promoted by the governments of Hungary and Poland, alleges that LGBTQ rights movements are controlled by foreign forces (such as
6072-548: The Khabarovsk newspaper Molodoi Dalnevostochnik , was fined 50,000 rubles (US$ 1,400) for publishing a news story discussing the teacher Alexander Yermoshkin, who had been fired for self-admittedly holding "rainbow flash mobs" in Khabarovsk with his students, and was subsequently attacked by right-wing extremists because of his sexuality. The fine centred around a quote in the article by the teacher, who stated that his very existence
6204-522: The Robert Stigwood Organization , a British record company and management group. Catchphrase A catchphrase (alternatively spelled catch phrase ) is a phrase or expression recognized by its repeated utterance. Such phrases often originate in popular culture and in the arts, and typically spread through word of mouth and a variety of mass media (such as films, internet, literature and publishing, television, and radio). Some become
6336-649: The Westboro Baptist Church . These slogans have included "God Hates Fags", "Fear God Not Fags", and " Matthew Shepard Burns In Hell". Homosexuality is also frequently considered sinful in Islam . In some Middle Eastern countries, acts of homosexuality are punishable by death. Anti-LGBT rhetoric and political homophobia are growing in some Muslim countries. Other religious leaders including Christians, Muslims, and Jews have denounced anti-LGBT rhetoric. The slogan "God made Adam and Eve , not Adam and Steve " alludes to
6468-543: The rainbow flag or kiss a same-sex partner in public. The first arrest made under the law involved a person who publicly protested with a sign containing a pro-LGBT message. The legislation reportedly led to an increase in violence against LGBT people in Russia. Russian LGBT Network chairman Igor Kochetkov argued that the law "[has] essentially legalised violence against LGBT people, because these groups of hooligans justify their actions with these laws," supported by their belief that gays and lesbians are "not valued as
6600-526: The second Red Scare in the 1950s, the "homintern" was invoked by American Senator Joseph McCarthy , who used it to claim that the administrations of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman were set on destroying America from within. According to Sherry, the "homintern discourse" began to decline with the growth of 1960s counterculture and skepticism about the United States' role in the Cold War and Vietnam War . The term "Gaystapo" (French: Gestapette )
6732-639: The " Red Plague " of Communism . Following this, the Czech cardinal Dominik Duka also commented on "LGBT ideology". However, because Czech society is secular and the Catholic Church has little influence on Czech politics, his comments had little impact. In September 2019, Stanley Bill, a lecturer at Cambridge University who studies Poland, stated "Scaremongering about 'LGBT ideology' has almost become official policy in Poland with often nasty insinuations from members of
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#17328545483276864-462: The "Homosexual Mafia" in the arts. Spectorsky declined, although he stated that "culture hounds were paying homage to faggotismo as they have never done before". Playboy would subsequently run a panel on gay issues in April 1971. The similar term, "velvet mafia," used to describe the influential gay crowd who supposedly ran Hollywood and the fashion industry in the late 1970s, was coined by New York Sunday News writer Steven Gaines in reference to
6996-503: The "gay propaganda" law was enacted is three times higher than before (46 in 2010 compared to 138 in 2015). These incidents include violent attacks, murders, threats, destruction of property, robberies and others. After 2013 the crimes against gay people became more violent—research shows that 67% of hate crime incidents have indications of "extreme violence". Additionally, the crimes became more elaborate, there were more premeditated crimes, committed with preparation (oftentimes by
7128-602: The 1998 scandal involving the sacking and jailing of MP and former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim by Mohamad amidst accusations of sodomy that the Sydney Morning Herald termed a "blatantly political fix-up". Anwar was subsequently subjected to two trials and sentenced to nine years imprisonment for corruption and sodomy. While in New York for a meeting of the United Nations, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
7260-471: The LGBTQ community, perpetuating a narrative that such individuals do not exist. Instead, authorities make statements such as "We don't have those kinds of people here. We don't have any gays. You cannot kill those who do not exist". Overall, the number of crimes perpetrated on an annual basis since the enactment of the "gay propaganda" law has been three times higher than prior to the law. This has been reported by
7392-514: The Olympic Charter, which forbids political protest, against athletes who make displays of support for the LGBT community at the Games. Vladimir Putin also made similar assurances prior to the Games, but warned LGBT attendees that they would still be subject to the law. Athletes and supporters used the Olympics as leverage for further campaigns against the propaganda law. A number of athletes came out as lesbian, gay, or bisexual to spread awareness of
7524-642: The Soviet-sponsored Communist International—was probably used jokingly among artists and writers in England in the 1930s to mock the idea of a powerful cabal of queer artists. Coining of the term has been attributed to various writers including W. H. Auden , Cyril Connolly , Jocelyn Brooke , Harold Norse , and Maurice Bowra . During the Cold War , anti-queer commentators in the United States sought to link homosexuality and Communism , using
7656-494: The State considers as in-line with 'tradition'." The term "among minors" was also criticized as being ambiguous, since it is unclear whether it refers to being in the presence of minors, or any place where minors could be present. They argued that "predicting the presence of children in any space, on-line or off-line, is quite impossible and is a variable that the proponent of any expression will rarely be in absolute control of." The law
7788-545: The United Nations Human Rights Council and the European parliament," would provide for even harsher penalties than the Russian law. The bill passed its first two readings by wide margins (79–7 and then 90–2) but faltered after two of the legislation's lead sponsors failed to win reelection. In 2016, the legislation was again raised in parliament, but was held up in subcommittee. The first arrest made under
7920-549: The United States and has been adopted in nations with active anti-LGBT movements such as Hungary and Uganda . The charge of " homosexual recruitment " is an allegation by social conservatives that LGBT people engage in concerted efforts to indoctrinate children into homosexuality. In the United States, this dates back to the early post-war era. Proponents were found especially among the New Right , as epitomized by Anita Bryant . In her Save Our Children campaign, she promoted
8052-489: The United States in 1985, conservative congressman William E. Dannemeyer used the slogan to argue that gay men were a threat to public health. The phrase later acquired a certain notoriety, and, when used to name a pair of characters in a work of fiction, helps to identify them as members of a homosexual pair (as in Paul Rudnick 's play The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told and the 2005 film Adam & Steve ). The phrase
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#17328545483278184-504: The United States, Malawi, and Uganda. In Serbia, members of Obraz chanted "Death to faggots" ( Serbian : Смрт педерима ) and posted posters stating "we are waiting for you" ( Serbian : чекамо вас ) next to an image of a baseball bat. In 2012, the organization was banned by the Constitutional Court of Serbia due to extremism. Anti-gay activists claim that homosexuality goes against traditional family values , that homosexuality
8316-466: The United States, when the disease was mainly diagnosed among male homosexuals and was almost invariably fatal. The slogan caught on quickly as a catchy truism , a chant , or simply something written as graffiti . It is reported that the slogan first appeared in public in the early 1990s, when Sebastian Bach , the former lead singer of the heavy metal band Skid Row , wore it on a t-shirt thrown to him by an audience member. The slogan "AIDS cures fags"
8448-634: The activist group Queer Nation announced a planned protest in New York City outside the Russian consulate on 6 February 2014, timed to coincide with the opening ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympics . The same day, gay rights group All Out similarly coordinated worldwide protests in London , New York City, Paris , and Rio de Janeiro . On 8 February 2014, a flash mob was held in Cambridge , England , featuring same-sex couples embracing and hugging, as part of
8580-475: The anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising , ultranationalist Robert Winnicki compared LGBT to communist and Nazi ideology. He stated, "Every plague passes at some point. The German plague passed, which was consuming Poland for six years, the red plague passed, the rainbow plague is also going to pass." In August 2020, Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro announced a new program for "counteracting crimes related to
8712-505: The basis of sexual orientation under Article 14 ECHR. Hate crimes became more prevalent as a direct consequence of the "gay propaganda law". Across the country, numerous individuals, sometimes with implicit support from authorities, engaged in acts of violence against LGBTQ individuals. Some of those individuals organized hate groups that viewed the elimination of LGBTQ individuals as a means of restoring societal order. The Russian government does not officially record hate crimes against
8844-577: The bill amended the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses with Article 6.21, which prescribes penalties for violations of the propaganda ban: Russian citizens found guilty can receive fines of up to 5,000 rubles , and public officials can receive fines of up to 50,000 rubles. Organizations or businesses can be fined up to 1 million rubles and be forced to cease operations for up to 90 days. Foreigners may be arrested and detained for up to 15 days then deported, or fined up to 5,000 rubles and deported. The fines for individuals are much higher if
8976-462: The bill because the Russian people demanded it. As he put it, "Can you imagine an organization promoting pedophilia in Russia? I think people in many Russian regions would have started to take up arms.... The same is true for sexual minorities: I can hardly imagine same-sex marriages being allowed in Chechnya . Can you imagine it? It would have resulted in human casualties." Putin also mentioned that he
9108-401: The boycott effort, noting that the company was not technically Russian, did not support the government's opinion on homosexuality, and described itself as a "fervent supporter and friend" of LGBT people. In 2014, a bill modeled after the Russian anti-gay law was proposed in the parliament of Kyrgyzstan ; the measure, which "drew a welter of criticism from multiple rights groups, governments,
9240-571: The broadcast of the Christian television program The 700 Club , Falwell said, "You helped this happen". He later apologized and said, "I would never blame any human being except the terrorists". In 2012, Chilean politician Ignacio Urrutia claimed that allowing homosexuals to serve in the Chilean military would cause Perú and Bolivia to invade and destroy his country. An outgrowth of the discourse on homosexuality causing disasters argues that HIV/AIDS
9372-454: The city's refusal to authorize the first two Moscow Pride events, describing them as "satanic" and blaming western groups for spreading "this kind of enlightenment" in the country. Social democratic Fair Russia member of parliament Alexander Chuev was also opposed to gay rights and attempted to introduce a similar "propaganda" law in 2007. In response, prominent LGBT rights activist and Moscow Pride founder Nikolay Alexeyev disclosed on
9504-562: The clarification from Roskomnadzor (the Russian Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Telecom, Information Technologies and Mass Communications) that the "gay propaganda" prohibited under the law includes materials which "directly or indirectly approve of people who are in nontraditional sexual relationships." One couple interviewed by Fry said: "Of course we are afraid because we really don't know what's going to happen next in
9636-420: The common European Values in support of LGBT rights, however rather than complaining about these values, Russia has now chosen to openly express their own values, which are entirely against any support for LGBT rights. In 2013, the conservative blog American Thinker published several articles using the phrase " LGBT ideology ". The Italian Catholic philosopher Roberto Marchesini [ it ] used
9768-482: The corners of streets. Not one utters this phrase without producing a laugh from all within hearing. It seems applicable to every circumstance, and is the universal answer to every question; in short, it is the favourite slang phrase of the day, a phrase that, while its brief season of popularity lasts, throws a dash of fun and frolicsomeness over the existence of squalid poverty and ill-requited labour, and gives them reason to laugh as well as their more fortunate fellows in
9900-567: The country in 1968, and LGBT people are emigrating from Poland in 2020. According to Polish historian Adam Leszczyński , "LGBT ideology" is a bag into which the right wing throws societal changes that do not suit it (eg. calls for equal rights for same-sex couples, which have been implemented in many countries, from the United States to South Africa ). In the language of right-wing propaganda... 'LGBT ideology' serves to dehumanize minorities and create an enemy – and thus build political support for
10032-579: The country of Qatar , where homosexuality is illegal ; in August 2013, FIFA requested information from the Russian government on the law and its potential effects on the association football tournament. In the case of the Winter Olympics, critics considered the law to be inconsistent with the Olympic Charter , which states that "[discrimination] on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise
10164-427: The country. ... You just don't know if they can incarcerate you tomorrow for something or not." Fry also interviewed politician Vitaly Milonov , the original proponent of the law, whose attempts to defend it have been strongly criticized; Milonov responded branding Fry as "sick" for making a suicide attempt while filming the documentary in an interview in which he also compared homosexuality with bestiality. There
10296-472: The current era, as it was leveled against pederasts even during antiquity . Lawmakers and social commentators have sometimes expressed a concern that normalizing homosexuality would also lead to normalizing pedophilia, if it were determined that pedophilia too were a sexual orientation. A related claim is that LGBT adoption is done for the purpose of grooming children for sexual exploitation. The empirical research shows that sexual orientation does not affect
10428-425: The de facto or literal "trademark" or "signature" of the person or character with whom they originated, and can be instrumental in the typecasting of a particular actor. Catchphrases are often humorous, but are never long enough or structured enough to be jokes in themselves. However, a catchphrase can be (or become) the punch line of a joke, or a callback reminder of a previous joke. According to Richard Harris,
10560-517: The distribution of "propaganda of non-traditional relationships" among any age group. It also prohibits the distribution of materials that promote gender dysphoria among minors. Despite the fact that the cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg have been well known for their thriving LGBT communities , there has been growing opposition towards gay rights among politicians since 2006. The city of Moscow has actively refused to authorize gay pride parades , and former Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov supported
10692-605: The enactment of the law), by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child and by human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch . The statute was criticized for its broad and ambiguous wording (including the aforementioned "raises interest in" and "among minors"), which many critics characterized as being an effective ban on publicly promoting LGBT culture and LGBT rights . The law
10824-451: The equal social value of traditional and non-traditional sexual relationships, or imposing information about non-traditional sexual relationships which raises interest in such relationships insofar as these acts do not amount to a criminal offence ." Article 2 makes similar amendments to "On basic guarantees for the rights of the child in the Russian Federation", commanding the government to protect children from such material. Article 3 of
10956-608: The exercise of Convention rights. The court found that "the authorities reinforce[d] stigma and prejudice and encourage[d] homophobia, which is incompatible with the notions of equality, pluralism and tolerance in a democratic society". The Council of Europe's advisory body on constitutional law, the Venice Commission , passed a resolution in 2013 stating that bans on "propaganda of homosexuality" "are incompatible with ECHR and international human rights standards" for several reasons. First, these bans were worded too vaguely to satisfy
11088-544: The form of comparing LGBT people to animals or equating homosexual relationships with bestiality . According to one study, "homophobic epithets foster dehumanization and avoidance of gay people, in ways that other insults or labels do not." Another study found that homophobia "results in substantial health and welfare effects". Anti-LGBT rhetoric also includes calls for violence against LGBT people and suggestions that they should be killed or die, such as in Cyprus, Iran, Russia,
11220-440: The gay propaganda law as reasoning for the block. The game itself is not blocked in the country. In February 2021, Miitopia received an 18+ rating due to the ability of same-sex Miis being able to form "relationships" with each other despite no actual sexual content whatsoever being present in the game. In July 2022, Communist politician Nina Ostanina co-sponsored a bill that would ban "the denial of family values" and
11352-487: The global stage. Article 1 of the bill amended On Protecting Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development with a provision classifying "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships" as a class of materials that must not be distributed among minors. The term is defined as materials that are "[aimed] at causing minors to form non-traditional sexual predispositions, notions of attractiveness of non-traditional sexual relationships, distorted ideas about
11484-415: The government and public media now the norm". In June 2020, Polish President Andrzej Duda drew international attention when he called LGBTQ an " ideology " and a form of "Neo-Bolshevism". Agreement Party MP Jacek Żalek stated in an interview that the LGBT community "are not people" and "it's an ideology", which led to the journalist Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska [ pl ] asking him to leave
11616-463: The greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers—none of these will inherit the kingdom of God.") The story of Sodom and Gomorrah , two biblical cities which were burned down due to the sins of its inhabitants, is mostly portrayed as divine retribution for homosexual behavior. Various inflammatory and controversial slogans, including some listed in the next section, have been used by opponent congregations and individuals, particularly by Fred Phelps , founder of
11748-441: The idea of a " gay lifestyle " or " homosexual lifestyle " is used by social and religious conservatives in the United States to argue that non-heterosexual sexual orientations are consciously chosen. However, scientists favor biological explanations for sexual orientation , arguing that people typically feel no sense of control over their sexual orientation or attractions. The term "gay lifestyle" may also be used disparagingly for
11880-461: The idea that LGBT is an ideology. Activists also created a film, "Ludzie, nie ideologia" (People, not ideology) showcasing the families of LGBT people. An article in OKO.press compared the anti-LGBT campaign to the 1968 "anti-Zionist" campaign : during the anti-Zionist campaign, people said that they were targeting Zionism as an ideology, but ended up targeting Jews as people. Many Jews were forced out of
12012-500: The introduction of the "gay propaganda law" had a noticeable effect on this—the number of cases grew from 2 in 2010 to 38 in 2014. Many of those crimes are committed by Tesak, his followers or copycat movements. A number of protests were held against the law, both locally and internationally. Activists demonstrated outside New York City 's Lincoln Center at the opening night of the Metropolitan Opera on 23 September 2013, which
12144-413: The law as criminalising "any positive discussion of LGBT people, identities, or issues in forums that might be accessible to minors. In practice, the law has given police broad license to interpret almost any mention of being LGBT—whether uttered, printed, or signified by waving a rainbow flag—as just cause to arrest LGBT people." The US State Department in its 2013 report on human rights in Russia noted
12276-452: The law on Russia's hosting of two major international sporting events, the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi (where seven LGBT athletes , all female, were expected to compete) and the 2018 FIFA World Cup , were called into question. In the case of the World Cup, FIFA had recently established an anti-discrimination task force, and was also facing criticism for awarding the 2022 World Cup to
12408-425: The law passed in 2012 instituted a mandatory content rating system for material distributed through an "information and telecommunication network" (covering television and the internet ), and established a blacklist for censoring websites which contain child pornography or content glorifying drug abuse and suicide . The 2013 amendment, which added "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships" as
12540-539: The law was reflective of a "dramatic tilt toward homophobia" in Russia that began in the years preceding the law's passage. Gevisser writes that the law's passage allowed the Russian government to find "common ground" with the nationalist far right , and also appeal to the many Russians who view "homosexuality as a sign of encroaching decadence in a globalized era." He writes: "Many Russians feel they can steady themselves against this cultural tsunami by laying claim to 'traditional values,' of which rejection of homosexuality
12672-403: The law, and foreign nationals may be arrested and detained for up to 15 days then deported, or fined up to 5,000 rubles and deported. The support of the Russian government for the law appealed to social conservatives , religious conservatives , and Russian nationalists . The law was condemned by the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe (of which Russia was a member of at the time of
12804-596: The law. The 2013 World Championships in Athletics , held at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium in August 2013, were overshadowed by comments and protests over the law by athletes. After winning a silver medal at the event, U.S. runner Nick Symmonds stated that "whether you're gay, straight, black, white, we all deserve the same rights. If there's anything I can do to champion the cause and further it, I will, shy of getting arrested." Swedish athletes Emma Green Tregaro and Moa Hjelmer painted their fingernails in rainbow colors as
12936-500: The law. In January 2015, Klimova was sent to court for the same charges. They were overturned on appeal, only for the same court to convict Kilmova and issue a fine of 50,000 rubles in July 2015, pending an appeal. In November 2014, one day after current Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook publicly announced that he was proud of being gay, it was reported that an iPhone -shaped memorial honoring its late co-founder Steve Jobs had been removed from
13068-403: The likelihood that people will abuse children. Others have made hoaxes intending to falsely associate pedophilia with the LGBT community by rebranding it as a sexual orientation, including claims that the "+" in "LGBT+" refers to "pedophiles, zoophiles , [and] necrophiles ", as well as the invented terms "agefluid", "clovergender" (a hoax executed by users of the imageboard 4chan , whose logo
13200-442: The marginalisation and demonisation of such people." Center-right presidential candidate Szymon Hołownia , who is a practicing Catholic, stated, "there is no such thing as LGBT ideology, there are [LGBT] people". He said that anti-LGBT rhetoric from politicians could lead vulnerable people to suicide. In protest at the comments made by the president and Żalek, LGBT people have held pickets in various towns and cities in Poland, opposing
13332-506: The next day to show that he would "not be cowed by such pressure." Isakov also claimed that he had been fired from his job at a bank as a result of the conviction. In December 2013, Nikolay Alexeyev and Yaroslav Yevtushenko were fined 4,000 rubles for picketing outside a children's library in Arkhangelsk with banners reading, "Gays aren't made, they're born!" Their appeal was denied. In January 2014, Alexander Suturin, editor-in-chief of
13464-636: The offense was committed using mass media or internet. According to a survey conducted in June 2013 by the state-owned All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion (also known as VTsIOM), at least 90 percent of Russians surveyed were in favour of the law. Over 100 conservative groups worldwide signed a petition in support for the law, with Larry Jacobs, manager of the World Congress of Families , supporting its aim to "prohibit advocacy aimed at involving minors in
13596-604: The opening of the Games; Google placed a quotation from the Olympic Charter and an Olympic-themed logo in the colours of the rainbow flag on its home page worldwide, while Channel 4 (who serves as the official British broadcaster of the Paralympics ) adopted a rainbow-coloured logo and broadcast a "celebratory", pro-LGBT advert entitled " Gay Mountain " on 7 February 2014, alongside an interview with former rugby union player and anti-homophobia activist Ben Cohen . As part of its Dispatches series, Channel 4 had also broadcast
13728-555: The phenomenon is found in Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds published by Charles Mackay in 1841: And, first of all, walk where we will, we cannot help hearing from every side a phrase repeated with delight, and received with laughter, by men with hard hands and dirty faces, by saucy butcher lads and errand-boys, by loose women, by hackney coachmen, cabriolet-drivers, and idle fellows who loiter at
13860-459: The phrase in a 2015 article, equating it with the earlier concept of " gender ideology ". In his article he does not define either "LGBT ideology" or "gender ideology". In 2017, several conservative Islamic politicians in Malaysia and Indonesia denounced "LGBT ideology". During a sermon on 1 August 2019, Polish Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski called "LGBT ideology" a "rainbow plague" and compared it to
13992-442: The possibility of public disorder. The bill " On Protecting Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development " introduced laws which prohibited the distribution of "harmful" material among minors. This includes content which "may elicit fear, horror, or panic in children" among minors, pornography , along with materials which glorify violence, unlawful activities, substance abuse , or self-harm . An amendment to
14124-419: The primary motivation. Supporters of this myth cite the inability for same-sex couples to reproduce as a motivation for recruitment. Sociologists and psychologists describe such claims as an anti-gay myth, and a fear-inducing bogeyman . Many critics believe the term promotes the myth of homosexuals as pedophiles : According to historian Michael S. Sherry , the term "homintern"—a reference to " Comintern ",
14256-658: The propaganda law occurred just hours after it was passed: 24-year-old activist Dmitry Isakov was arrested in Kazan for publicly holding a sign reading "Freedom to the Gays and Lesbians of Russia. Down With Fascists and Homophobes", and ultimately fined 4,000 rubles (US$ 115). Isakov had performed a similar protest in the same location the previous day as a "test" run, but was later caught in an altercation with police officers who targeted his pro-gay activism, and arrested him for swearing. He would be released without charge, but pledged to return there
14388-537: The requirement in Article 10 ECHR that limits on freedom of expression must be "prescribed by law". Second, "homosexuality as a variation of sexual orientation, is protected under the ECHR and as such, cannot be deemed contrary to morals by public authorities, in the sense of Article 10 § 2 of The ECHR". Third, the laws only target "propaganda of homosexuality" but not "propaganda of heterosexuality", which amounts to discrimination on
14520-442: The right, which presents itself as the only defender of the traditional family, religion and social order. 'Ideology' also fits the right-wing perception of the world in terms of a conspiracy – ideology is 'promoted', someone disseminates it, someone is 'behind it' (eg. George Soros , a Jewish-American financier who supports, among others, LGBT organizations). Dehumanization is a frequent feature of anti-LGBT rhetoric, which may take
14652-407: The rights of LGBT athletes under the Olympic Charter, and pressure the IOC to show greater scrutiny towards the human rights abuses of future host countries. On 3 February 2014, USOC sponsor AT&T issued a statement in support of LGBT rights at the Games, becoming the first major Olympic advertiser to condemn the laws. Several major non-sponsors also made pro-LGBT statements to coincide with
14784-514: The safety of LGBT athletes and attendees, and oppose future Olympic bids from countries that outlaw support for LGBT equality. In February 2014, prior to the games, a group of 40 human rights organizations (including Athlete Ally , Freedom House , Human Rights Campaign , Human Rights Watch and Russian LGBT Network among others) also sent a joint letter to the Worldwide Olympic Partners, urging them to use their prominence to support
14916-524: The situation in Russia, including Australian snowboarder Belle Brockhoff , Canadian speed skater Anastasia Bucsis , gold medal figure skater Brian Boitano , and Finnish swimmer Ari-Pekka Liukkonen . There were also calls to boycott the Games, drawing comparisons to the Summer Olympics of 1980 in Moscow, the last time the Olympics were held on what is now Russian soil. A campaign known as Principle 6
15048-449: The studio; the row caused controversy. The next day, Duda said at a rally in Silesia: "They are trying to convince us that [LGBT] is people, but it is just an ideology." He promised to "ban the propagation of LGBT ideology in public institutions", including schools, similar to the Russian gay propaganda law . On the same day, PiS MP Przemysław Czarnek said on a TVP Info talk show, regarding
15180-482: The television talk show К барьеру! ( K bar'yeru! ) that Chuev had been publicly involved in same-sex relationships prior to his time in office. In 2010, Russia was fined by the European Court of Human Rights under allegations by Alexeyev that cities were discriminating against gays by refusing to approve pride parades. Although claiming a risk of violence, the court interpreted the decisions as being in support of groups which oppose such demonstrations. In March 2012,
15312-588: The terms "homintern" and " homosexual mafia " as shorthand for a purported homosexual conspiracy in the arts similar to the Communist International in politics. Sherry coined the phrase "homintern discourse" to refer to mid–20th century American conspiracy theories targeting gay artists, many of whose works were prominently used as propaganda in the Cultural Cold War against the Soviet Union. During
15444-485: The terms diminish the experiences of sexual assault survivors, smear the LGBT community, and are dangerous in general. " Gay agenda " or "homosexual agenda" is a pejorative term used by sectors of the Christian religious right as a disparaging way to describe the advocacy of cultural acceptance and normalization of non-heterosexual sexual orientations and relationships. The term originated among social conservatives in
15576-630: The videos of attacks are disseminated on the Internet. One of the most prevalent hate group— Occupy Pedophilia became very active in the aftermath of "the gay propaganda law". Launched by Maxim Martsinkevich , a.k.a. Tesak, at the peak of its activity it was present in 40 regions of Russia. The ideology of this hate group was described in Tesak's book Restruct (2012), where he specifically addresses homosexuality, stating that it "cannot be cured" and therefore needs to be exterminated: Restrukt [Tesak's follower]
15708-567: The violation of freedom of conscience committed under the influence of LGBT ideology". From a government fund intended to help victims of crime, PLN 613,698 was awarded to a foundation to combat the alleged crimes of "LGBT ideology". The project, among other things, explores a supposed connection between LGBT ideology and the Frankfurt School . At the 16 August " Stop LGBT aggression " rally that year, Krzysztof Bosak said that even irreligious people are among opponents of "LGBT ideology" because it
15840-689: Was "effective proof that homosexuality is normal." Elena Klimova has been charged under the law multiple times for operating Children-404 —an online support group for LGBT youth on the social networking services VKontakte and Facebook . The first of these charges was overturned in February 2014, after a court ruled in consultation with a mental health professional that the group "helps teenagers exploring their sexuality to deal with difficult emotional issues and other problems that they may encounter", and that these activities did not constitute "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships" as defined under
15972-413: Was also criticized for leading to an increase and justification of homophobic violence , while the implications of the laws in relation to the then-upcoming Winter Olympics being hosted by Sochi were also cause for concern, as the Olympic Charter contains language explicitly barring various forms of discrimination . In December 2022, an amendment to the law was signed into law by Putin, prohibiting
16104-506: Was coined in France in the 1940s by political satirist Jean Galtier-Boissière for the Vichy education minister, Abel Bonnard . It was subsequently applied by National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen to Florian Philippot , whom he accused of being a bad influence on Marine Le Pen . The English critic Kenneth Tynan wrote to A.C. Spectorsky (editor of Playboy ) in 1967 proposing an article on
16236-456: Was concerned about Russia's low birth rate , as same-sex relationships do not produce children. In August 2013, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko also defended the law, equating it to protecting children from content that glorifies alcohol abuse or drug addiction . He also argued that the controversy over the law and its effects was "invented" by the Western media. The passing of the law
16368-681: Was condemned by human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch . UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon indirectly criticized the law. LGBT rights activists , human rights activists , and other critics stated that the broad and vague wording of the law, which was characterized as a ban on gay propaganda by the media, made it a crime to publicly make statements or distribute materials in support of LGBT rights, hold pride parades or similar demonstrations, state that gay relationships are equal to heterosexual relationships, or according to Human Rights Campaign (HRC) president Chad Griffin , even display LGBT symbols such as
16500-460: Was established in collaboration between a group of Olympic athletes, the organizations All Out and Athlete Ally , and clothing maker American Apparel , selling merchandise (such as clothing) with a quotation from the Olympic Charter to support pro-LGBT organizations. Toronto advertising copywriter Brahm Finkelstein also began to market a rainbow-coloured matryoshka doll set known as "Pride Dolls", designed by Italian artist Danilo Santino, to benefit
16632-611: Was held in Saint Petersburg. The protest site was occupied by a large number of demonstrators, some of whom were dressed as Russian Orthodox priests and Cossacks . In total, 67 protestors were arrested for creating a public disturbance . Activists also called for a boycott of Stolichnaya vodka , who had prominently branded itself as a Russian vodka (going as far as to dub itself "[the] Mother of All Vodkas from The Motherland of Vodka" in an ad campaign). However, its Luxembourg -based parent company, Soiuzplodoimport , responded to
16764-514: Was increasing in Indonesia under the Twitter hashtag #TolakLGBT (#RejectLGBT), stating that LGBT is a disease. In 2019, Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski said that a "rainbow plague" was threatening Poland. In 2020, the education minister defended an official who warned that "LGBT virus" was threatening Polish schools, and was more dangerous than COVID-19 . Along with the idea of " homosexual recruitment ",
16896-541: Was invited to speak at Columbia University in New York to give a lecture. When responding to a student question afterward, he said, speaking through an interpreter: "In Iran, we don't have homosexuals like in your country." In his native Farsi , he used the slang equivalent of faggot , not the neutral term for a "homosexual". Other countries and regions viewing homosexuality as a Western disease include Vietnam, China, Ethiopia, Africa, Australian Muslims, and India. The claim that homosexuals sexually abuse children predates
17028-556: Was met with major international backlash, especially from the Western world, as critics considered it an attempt to effectively ban the promotion of LGBT rights and culture in the country. Article 19 disputed the claimed intent of the law, and felt that many of the terms used within were too ambiguous, such as the aforementioned "non-traditional sexual relationships", and "raises interest in". The organization argued that it "feasibly could apply to any information regarding sexual orientation or gender identity that does not fit with what
17160-470: Was revived by Anita Bryant in 1976 when she blamed homosexuals for droughts in California. In the U.S., right-wing religious groups including the Westboro Baptist Church continue to claim that homosexuals are responsible for disasters. Homosexuals have been blamed for hurricanes, including Isaac , Katrina , and Sandy . In 2020, various religious figures including Israeli rabbi Meir Mazuz have argued that
17292-408: Was set to feature Tchaikovsky 's opera Eugene Onegin . The protests targeted Tchaikovsky's own homosexuality , and the involvement of two Russians in the production; soprano Anna Netrebko and conductor Valery Gergiev , as they were identified as vocal supporters of Putin's government. On 12 October 2013, the day following National Coming Out Day , a protest organized by at least 15 activists
17424-583: Was used by Democratic Unionist MP David Simpson during a debate on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 in the British House of Commons, although his slip of the tongue saying "in the Garden of Eden, it was Adam and Steve" initially caused laughter in the chamber. Zimbabwean presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa said in a 2019 interview that "[w]e must be able to respect what God ordained and how we are created as
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