Majority of Russians hostile to gays
2013-03-13 17:47
Moscow - A strong majority of Russians are hostile to
homosexuals, while only 4% say they take a positive view, a public opinion poll
showed on Wednesday.
The poll on attitudes to gay people by Levada independent
polling agency comes as Russia's parliament is considering a bill banning
"propaganda of homosexuality" among minors, which critics said could
be used to ban any Gay Pride events.
The survey showed that 27% of Russians view homosexuals
with "disgust or fear”, while 23 said they were "irritated" and
18% said they were "wary".
Only 4% said they had positive feelings towards gay
people, while 23% said they had "no particular feelings" towards
them.
The poll also indicated strong backing for a ban on Gay
Pride events, with 62% saying they were "definitely opposed".
The Russian lower house in January gave initial backing
to a bill banning homosexual propaganda among minors.
The measure, which has been criticised by rights groups
and Western government, is already being implemented in several cities
including Russia's second largest, St Petersburg.
The second key reading of the bill is expected in May.
The Levada poll was carried out last month among 1 800
people in 45 regions of the country.
While homosexuality was decriminalised in Russia in 1993
and removed from the list of psychiatric disorders in 1999, the poll shows that
34% of Russians still view homosexuality as "an illness that should be
treated."
The poll found that 35% of Russians think gay people
"definitely do not" have the right to consensual relationships.
Russians also rejected the concept of legislation to
allow gay couples to marry or to have the right to adopt children.
Sixty-two percent said they were "firmly
opposed" to gay marriage, and the same number said they
"absolutely" did not agree that gay couples should have the right to
adopt.
