Homosexuality is being recriminalised in Russia.  Homophobic laws are already in place in Arkhangelsk, Kostroma and Ryazan, and St. Petersburg joined these cities last week by passing an anti-homosexual ‘propaganda’ bill, meaning that any non-heterosexual couple caught in a public display of affection can be fined up to $170 – all under the umbrella of needing to protect minors from being influenced by such sights.  Canada has been the first international government to cause a stir over this, by advising gay travelers on its website to avoid displaying affection in public, ‘as homosexuals can be targets of violence’.  This warning is not explicitly related to the new law, either, but acknowledges a more general social disapproval, noting Russia’s reputation for violent homophobia.  It isn’t just a backwards step for freedom of expression, but also for St. Petersburg’s tourism industry, the National Post drily notes: ‘The loss is Russia’s […] because gay travellers tend to spend twice as much as straight travellers while on vacation.’

Madonna has just promised to use her upcoming appearance in St. Petersburg for a concert in August to promote gay rights in the city: ‘I will speak during my show about this ridiculous atrocity,’ she said.