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Court: Russian LGBT Teen Page's Administrator Violated 'Propaganda' Ban

Court: Russian LGBT Teen Page's Administrator Violated 'Propaganda' Ban

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Journalist Lena Klimova has been fined 50,000 rubles for running an online resource for LGBT youth.

dnlreynolds

The administrator of an online support group for LGBT youth has been found guilty of violating Russia's antigay propaganda law.

Journalist Lena Klimova has been fined 50,000 rubles for launching Children-404, a forum for Russian-speaking teens to share thousands of stories of coming out and hardship. Human Rights First reports that the website is also a resource for community leaders and adults about discrimination faced by LGBT people as well as suicide prevention.

Last year Kilmova, the administrator of Children-404's Facebook group and its Russian equivalent Vkontakte, was issued an "infringement notice," informing her that the page was in violation of the nationwide ban on the promotion of "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" to minors -- in this case on social media.

Kilmova was acquitted by the same court last year, but the verdict was appealed by Vitaly Milonov, the antigay St. Petersburg councilman who is credited with creating a citywide ban on "LGBT propaganda" on which the national law is based. The politician is also known for demanding a lifetime ban on Apple CEO Tim Cook entering Russia after Cook came out as gay last year.

Activists such as Human Rights First's Shawn Gaylord have pointed to the verdict as an example of the ongoing discrimination against LGBT Russians and a further reason why the international community must support activists on the ground.

"It's been nearly a year since the Sochi Olympics brought international attention to the situation for Russia's LGBT community," Gaylord said. "While much is happening in the world, it is crucial that we not move on to the next issue and ignore what is happening in Russia, particularly when neighboring countries such as Kyrgyzstan appear to be following suit."

"Russian activists who are standing up for justice and human rights for all still face persecution and we must continue to support their efforts," he added.

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Daniel Reynolds

Daniel Reynolds is the editor of social media for The Advocate. A native of New Jersey, he writes about entertainment, health, and politics.
Daniel Reynolds is the editor of social media for The Advocate. A native of New Jersey, he writes about entertainment, health, and politics.