A video endorsing the constitutional amendments that President Vladimir Putin is bringing to a national vote next month provoked intense outrage Tuesday for its anti-gay message.
In a video created by a media organization named Patriot connected to a US-sanctioned Putin ally of Yevgeny Prigozhin, a young boy from a Russian orphanage discovers that a gay couple is adopting him. Meanwhile, many believe that it sends a strong anti-gay message.
“Here’s your new mom. Don’t be upset,” one of them says, as the other takes out some clothes.
“What Russia do you choose?” the voiceover says.
“Decide on the future of the country. Vote to amend the constitution.
Moreover, despite the ongoing virus crisis, Russians are going out to vote for constitutional amendments on July 1. The vote would enable Putin to remain president.
In addition, the video reflects on yet another suggested reform, a caveat that marriage is a man-woman union.
Patriot posted the ad on social media on Monday, which had tens of thousands of views. Likewise, it says they shot the video with their own money, and they’re creating more.
More
- Russian Gay Man Video faces Criminal Charges Citing “Sexual Assault“
- Putin proposes ban on same-sex marriage
As expected, leading opposition leader Alexei Navalny has shared the video on social media with sarcastic remarks. “Putin’s officials have gone fully out of their heads on the issue of homosexuality,” he wrote.
Anti-gay or Defending the family?
Nikolai Stolyarchuk is the head of Patriot. He said in a statement on Tuesday that the video was “not campaigning against homosexuals.” However, its “defending the family institute as a union of a man and a woman,” while adding that he disapproves of gay couples’ adoption.
In reality, the vote does not impact Russia ‘s current lack of gay marriage or official adoption by gay couples.
Putin also introduced laws restricting “gay propaganda” to children after moving to the Kremlin in 2012. Also, it is in use to censor demonstrators and close down gay pride activities.
Prigozhin heads the Patriot’s board of trustees, according to the website.
The businessman, dubbed “Putin’s chef,” owns a firm called Concord. The US suspects Concord of sponsoring a campaign to interfere with their 2016 presidential election. He and his business are on the list of US sanctions.
Reports in Russian and Western media have said that he is also funding the Middle East and Africa-active private military group Wagner.
He denies all of those allegations.
This new video echoes another video released in 2018, encouraging Russians to re-elect Putin or live in a possible “nightmare” in which they are compelled to cohabit with gay people.
