This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/29/russian-police-gay-rights

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Russian police detain dozens after clashes during gay rights march Russian police detain dozens after clashes during gay rights march
(3 months later)
Russian police have detained dozens of people who clashed during a protest in Saint Petersburg against new anti-gay legislation.Russian police have detained dozens of people who clashed during a protest in Saint Petersburg against new anti-gay legislation.
Up to 100 people took part in the march organised by the group Ravnopraviye (Equal Rights) to protest against the bill. Police intervened with batons when the marchers were confronted by an equal number of anti-gay activists throwing eggs, smoke flares and stones.Up to 100 people took part in the march organised by the group Ravnopraviye (Equal Rights) to protest against the bill. Police intervened with batons when the marchers were confronted by an equal number of anti-gay activists throwing eggs, smoke flares and stones.
Critics say the legislation, passed by the Russian parliament two weeks ago, effectively bans gay rights rallies and could be used to prosecute anyone voicing support for gay people.Critics say the legislation, passed by the Russian parliament two weeks ago, effectively bans gay rights rallies and could be used to prosecute anyone voicing support for gay people.
"We staged the rally to support our rights and express our protest against the homophobic law," Natalya Tsymbalova, a gay activist, told Reuters, claiming that the protest did not break the law."We staged the rally to support our rights and express our protest against the homophobic law," Natalya Tsymbalova, a gay activist, told Reuters, claiming that the protest did not break the law.
The violence highlights increasing intolerance in Russian society towards gay people and the crackdown on dissent against the president, Vladimir Putin.The violence highlights increasing intolerance in Russian society towards gay people and the crackdown on dissent against the president, Vladimir Putin.
The legislation bans the spreading of "propaganda for non-traditional sexual relations" to minors, with heavy fines for violations. It has yet to be signed into law by Putin.The legislation bans the spreading of "propaganda for non-traditional sexual relations" to minors, with heavy fines for violations. It has yet to be signed into law by Putin.
There are no official figures on anti-gay crime in Russia, but an online poll last year found that 15% of the 900 gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender respondents said they had been physically attacked at least once in the previous 10 months.There are no official figures on anti-gay crime in Russia, but an online poll last year found that 15% of the 900 gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender respondents said they had been physically attacked at least once in the previous 10 months.
Putin, who has embraced the Russian Orthodox church as a moral authority and harnessed its influence as a source of political support, has championed socially conservative values since starting a new six-year term in May 2012.Putin, who has embraced the Russian Orthodox church as a moral authority and harnessed its influence as a source of political support, has championed socially conservative values since starting a new six-year term in May 2012.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.