Putin: Speaks

Watch it here.

In 2013, Russia enacted laws banning "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations" [to children] and blocking same-sex couples from adopting children. A 2014 Human Rights Watch report documented an uptick in anti-gay violence and harassment in Russia since the laws were passed. *

In the clip above, an outtake from 60 Minutes' two-part interview with the Russian president, Putin says he supports equal rights. "The problem of sexual minorities in Russia had been deliberately exaggerated from the outside for political reasons, I believe, without any good basis," he tells Charlie Rose.

In the U.S., Putin points out, some states still have laws on the books against same-sex relations. (This is partly true; all such laws were invalidated in 2003 by the Supreme Court ruling in Lawrence v. Texas.)

[Missing quote where he condemns such anti-gay laws:

“I would definitely condemn that. I believe there should not be any criminal prosecution or any other prosecution or infringement of peoples’ rights on the basis of their race, ethnicity religious or sexual orientation. We don’t have that.”]

In Russia, Putin adds, "We have no persecution at all.* People of non-traditional sexual orientation work, they live in peace, they get promoted, they get state awards for their achievements in science and arts or other areas. I personally have awarded them medals."

Putin also defends Russia's controversial gay "propaganda" law. "I don't see anything un-democratic in this legal act," Putin tells 60 Minutes. "I believe we should leave kids in peace. We should give them a chance to grow, help them to realize who they are and decide for themselves. Do they consider themselves a man or a woman? A female? A male? Do they want to live in a normal, natural marriage or a non-traditional one? That's the only thing I wanted to talk about. I don't see here any infringement on the rights of gay people."

CBS News.

Bear in mind this is an instant translation and may not be precise; (legal) 'prosecution' and (social) 'persecution' appear to be confused for one. [Here's a dimwitted intern at GT getting it wrong. PS And Attitude!].

I wish Russia would repeal their silly little law, but you'd have to be a complete gaytard and/or a stooge of American empire to think 'PUTIN = HITLER!!!'

* Some flaws in the Human Rights Watch report.

Update: Russian LGBT youth group we said was banned clearly not actually banned, Pink News reports.