Out4Russia launched to lobby world leaders to take action against Russian anti-gay laws
A new website has launched to allow users to lobby world leaders to take action on LGBT rights abuses in Russia, including anti-gay laws introduced in June.
Out4Russia, launched today and is the latest site from campaign group Out4Marriage, creator of LobbyALord, which was used to lobby members of the House of Lords ahead of the Royal Assent of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act for England and Wales earlier this year.
The site allows users to lobby members of G20 governments ahead of the Leaders Summit in St Petersburg next week. Direct tweets and emails can be sent to members of the governments.
James-J Walsh – Director Campaigns at Out4Russia and Out4Marriage said: “It is important that LGBT people stand up for human rights both in their own country and internationally. Our new website allows anyone from around the world to add their support to the campaign.
“By using Out4Russia you can directly lobby G20 Governments and Leadership by calling on them to stop either direct or indirect state endorsed human rights abuses.”
President Vladimir Putin signed the law in June banning the promotion of “non-traditional relationships” toward minors, a move that has been criticised as part of a broader crackdown on Russia’s gay community. Other laws banning the adoption of Russian children by foreign same-sex couples, and one which enables organisations receiving funding from abroad to be fined as “foreign agents”, were also passed.
The laws have so far sparked controversy among LGBT activists, with some calling for a boycott of the 2014 Games. Others have also called to boycott Russian vodka.
