Ireland updates travel advice for LGBT citizens travelling to Russia due to passing of anti-gay laws
The government of Ireland has updated its advice for LGBT Irish citizens travelling to Russia following the recent passing of several homophobic laws in the country.
Ireland’s Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade added the following section on its website on Thursday:
“Homosexuality was illegal in the USSR up until 1993 when it was decriminalised. However, a federal law has recently been approved that prohibits the promotion of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgenderism in the Russian Federation.
“Fines can now be imposed on those who provide information about the homosexual, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities to minors. According to the legislation, public displays of affection or activities regarded as counter to the law may also lead to fines, arrests and deportations.”
The update comes as UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg urged Russia to protect the rights of LGBT people amid concerns about LGBT athletes and spectators attending the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Speaking exclusively to PinkNews.co.uk, the Liberal Democrat leader said: “It is just totally out of order it is unacceptable in this day and age for any athlete to feel in anyway intimidated or certainly to be discriminated against because of their sexuality.”
The 2014 Winter Olympics takes place in the Russian city of Sochi in February.
