December 23, 2013
Russian Gay Activist Convicted Under 'Homosexual Propaganda' Law
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 1 MIN.
An LGBT activist from Russia has been convicted under the country's controversial "homosexual propaganda" laws on Thursday, the New York Times reports.
A regional court in Kazan, Russia, convicted Dmitry Isakov for violating the anti-gay law for holding a sign that read: "Being gay and loving gays is normal. Beating gays and killing gays is criminal." Isakov held the sign back in June while standing on a central square.
Isakov could be fined 4,000 rubles ($120 U.S.) for openly showing support for LGBT rights and violating the law.
As the New York Times reports, Isakov is the third person to be punished under the anti-gay measure, which was signed into law by Russian President Vladimir Putin in June.
Two men in the northern city of Arkhangelsk were also sentenced for similar actions, the newspaper reports.
Nevertheless, Isakov stood firmly for supporting LGBT rights. In an interview with the NYT, the activist said he plans to continue his activism in Russia.
"I will not stop," he told the publication.
