Russia: Arkhangelsk is the first region to repeal local anti-gay ‘propaganda’ law
The north Russian region Arkhangelsk has become the first to repeal its local ban on “homosexual propaganda” to minors following two years of enforcement.
The region, known as ‘Archangel,’ was originally the second after Ryazan to enforce a local anti-gay law banning “propaganda” in 2011.
Since that time, only three people have been arrested under the law, including Russian activist Nikolai Alekseyev detained last year for holding a picket outside a children’s library.
However, today it was announced that lawmakers in Arkhangelsk believe there is no longer a need for a local law given the recent federal ban, signed into law in June by President Vladimir Putin.
GayRussia reports that Article 2.13 of the Law “On Administrative Offences” was repealed following an appeal by Nikolai Alekseyev and Alexey Kiselev to the European Court of Human Rights, which is now also agreeing to open its case against regional gay propaganda laws in Ryazan and St Petersburg.
Amazing news! European Court opened case on 4 our complaints against Russian gay propaganda laws in St. Petersburg, Ryazan and Arkhangelsk.
— Nikolai Alexeyev (@n_alexeyev) November 5, 2013
In September, Nikolai Alekseyev officially requested a meeting with Vladimir Putin after the President claimed he was willing to speak with members of the LGBT community in a recent interview.
