Bryan Fischer of the Christian conservative American Family Association (AFA) has praised Russia's “gay propaganda” law as “homorealistic.”

The law recently signed by President Vladimir Putin prohibits the positive portrayal of gay men and lesbians in a public setting where minors might be present. It has created a worldwide outcry, calls for a boycott of next year's Winter Olympics in Sochi, and has increased tension between the United States and Russia.

(Related: Obama has “no patience” for anti-gay laws in Russia.)

“Russia is not being homophobic, it's homorealistic – the Russian government is trying to take the issue into consideration and establish public policy to contribute to public health, as this lifestyle is not to be promoted, endorsed or granted special legal protection,” Fischer explained to The Voice of Russia, which described Fisher as an “expert.”

“Homosexual behavior is just as risky as drug abuse,” he said.

“I think the Russian government is right to be concerned with propaganda on teenagers who are at the age of struggling through sexual identity issues and we should help to channel these urges in productive behavior. Heterosexuality is God's design. Policies that encourage young people think this are good ideas.”

“Homosexual behavior damages the body and soul,” he added. “We love homosexuals enough to tell them the truth.”