Russian Church Supports Ban on LGBT Propaganda but Not Criminal Punishment for Sodomy, Says Church Rep

Pravoslavie ^ | 11/2/22

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The Russian Orthodox Church supports the initiative to ban LGBT propaganda across the board, but not the idea of making homosexuality itself into a crime, says one of the Church’s top representatives.

In 2013, Russia passed an amendment to the country's Child Protection Law against “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations to minors.” Fines range from $155 for an individual to up to $31,000 for a media outlet.

But now Russia’s Parliament is moving towards a total ban on LGBT propaganda, for any audience.

“We supported the bill in the current version during the public hearings in the State Duma, which showed the consensus of all political and public forces,” Vladimir Legoida, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Church-Society-Media Relations, told RIA-Novosti.

Last month, the State Duma adopted bills banning LGBT propaganda in the first reading. The bills will also undergo a second reading, with probable amendments concerning responsibility for violations.

At the same time, “The Church’s position in this case isn’t to punish a person for falling into the sin of sodomy, but to ensure that he doesn’t draw others into this sin.”

“I don’t think every sin should be punished criminally,” Legoida said.