ARGENTINA: Argentines protest Russia's anti-gay law outside the Russian embassy in Buenos Aires

Record ID: 335416

  • Title: ARGENTINA: Argentines protest Russia's anti-gay law outside the Russian embassy in Buenos Aires
  • Date: 21st August 2013
  • Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (AUGUST 20, 2013) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS AGAINST RUSSIA'S ANTI-GAY LAWS OUTSIDE RUSSIAN EMBASSY IN BUENOS AIRES POSTER AT RUSSIAN EMBASSY PROTEST PLACARD THAT READS "DOWN WITH THE ANTI-GAY LAW OF THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT" AND "STOP HOMO, LESBO, TRANS PHOBIA" PROTESTER WITH CANDLE VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS RAINBOW AND ARGENTINE FLAGS PROTESTER OUTSIDE RU
  • Embargoed: 5th September 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: General,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAB7IFXWXOSV9N0RRGJ8SEZAB8V
  • Story Text: Hundreds of people protested outside Russia's Buenos Aires embassy on Tuesday (August 21) against a Russian anti-gay law that bans "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations" and imposes fines on those holding gay pride rallies.
    The Argentine protest follows strong international condemnation of Russia's controversial law that has cast a shadow over its preparation for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
    This protester hopes the global protests may spur a domestic push within Russia to repeal the anti-gay laws.
    "I don't think that people around the world protesting against this can change the situation but if they (Russians) have a look (at international protests), maybe something can change in the future," said Gena.
    Critics of the anti-propaganda law have said it effectively disallows all gay rights rallies and could be used to prosecute anyone voicing support for homosexuals.
    "We are concerned because sexual diversity organisations in Russia and some Russian citizens have told us that with the approval of the homosexual propaganda law, there is a law that prohibits the public expression of homosexuality and there is a lot of violence against our community, a lot of violence by a sector of society and violence by the same state," said Argentine lawmaker, Maria Rachid.
    In 2010, Argentina became the first Latin American country to let gay couples marry and adopt children under a motion that received the backing of President Cristina Fernandez.
    Gay rights advocates are now calling on Fernandez to take a stand against Russia's anti-gay laws, calling for bilateral commercial ties to be cut if Russia's gay propaganda legislation is not overturned.
    "That the government of Cristina Kirchner set their position and abandon the policy of silence because we understand that here the government has to demand the repeal of the laws in Russian. And in the case they don't receive a response from Putin's government, break business ties," said Daiana Asquini of the Fighting Women association.
    Internationally, over 350,000 people have signed an online petition calling on world leaders and Russian politicians to push for a repeal of anti-gay laws and to protect citizens from violence and discrimination.
    Gays bars around the world have also begun boycotting Russian vodka earlier this month in protest at the laws.
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