A Russian lawmaker has proposed a bill that would define gay men
and lesbians as unfit to parent.
According to the AP, a draft of the bill was posted Thursday on
parliament's website.
It would make the “fact of nontraditional sexual orientation”
a basis for denying custody. Alcoholism, drug use and abuse are
other grounds listed.
Introduction of the bill comes at an awkward time for Russia.
Passage of a “gay propaganda” law which prohibits the public
promotion of gay rights among minors has provoked worldwide protests
and calls for a boycott of the upcoming Winter Olympics to be held in
Sochi.
Alexei Zhuravlev, a member of the lower house of parliament and the
bill's author, said that “gay propaganda” had to be banned not
only in the public space “but also in the family.”
(Related: Obama
says “gays should be treated equally” ahead of Russian visit.)