Canada's Russian Warning

From Yahoo Canada:
"Canada warns gay travellers of Russian law banning 'homosexual propaganda'"

Canada is warning gay and lesbian travellers bound for Russia's historic St. Petersburg to be wary after the city enacted a new law banning what it calls homosexual propaganda. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has told the House of Commons he is deeply concerned by the legislation, which he says runs counter to core Canadian values of freedom of speech, human rights and the rule of law. The warning comes after the governor of St. Petersburg signed a law that makes it a criminal offence to publicize acts of sodomy, bisexualism or lesbianism. St. Petersburg is the fourth Russian city to be enact such a law. Baird said Canada has lodged an official protest, as well as warning travellers. "Canada's ambassador has written to the Russian government to express our deep concern and, yes, we have at his request, put a travel advisory on our website," Baird said. Canada's new travel advisory has been amended to read: "Homosexuality is legal, though some still strongly disapprove of it. Canadians are advised to avoid displaying affection in public, as homosexuals can be targets of violence." The advisory states that the new law prohibits "propagandizing homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality and transsexuality among minors, and prohibiting public actions propagandizing pedophilia."

^ I still don't understand why St. Petersburg (or any Russian town/city) would make a law like this - especially since homosexuality has been legal in Russia since 1993. ^

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/canada-warns-gay-travellers-russian-law-banning-homosexual-172335168.html