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24 Minn. J. Int'l L. 1 (2015)
Love in the Time of Propaganda: Russian Anti-LGBT Laws, the International Legal Response and Future Implications

handle is hein.journals/mjgt24 and id is 485 raw text is: Love in the Time of Propaganda: Russian Anti- LGBT Laws, the International Legal Response, and Future Implications Ashlyn Clark Over the past several years, paralleling the rise of Putin and religious conservatism in Russian society, state-sponsored legislation in Russia has worked to indirectly criminalize homosexuality. A 2013 amendment to the Federal Law of Russian Federation no. 436-FZ On Protection of Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development designated propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships as a harmful material and prohibited its distribution to minors. While the law does not explicitly criminalize homosexuality, in practice it has made Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) visibility and activism within Russia increasingly dangerous on both a legal and societal level. The international community, particularly the United States and Europe, has criticized Russia's actions. The European Court of Human Rights has even found Russia to be in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights with respect to its treatment of the LGBT community.1 Despite domestic and international challenges to Russia's legislative and political crackdown on the LGBT community, Russia continues to codify discrimination against its LGBT citizens. This Note critiques the practical implications of the Federal Law of Russian Federation no. 436-FZ and analyzes the ways in which the law could be challenged by domestic or international bodies. Part I introduces the history of Russian laws regarding the LGBT community; the rise of social conservatism in Russia; and the international response, particularly the response of the European Court of Rights, to Russian treatment of the LGBT community. Part II analyzes the practical implications of the anti-LGBT propaganda law J.D. candidate at the University of Minnesota Law School, class of 2016. Graduate of Carnegie Mellon University. 1. Infra note 45.