Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his state of the nation address yesterday that their country does not persecute homosexuals, even as they strongly support conservative values and the "traditional family."
"This should not look as if we intend to persecute people of some non-traditional orientation," he said. "One does not preclude the other. I believe that such balanced approach is absolutely the right one."
Putin is well-known for his stance on conservative values and disdain over the West's tolerance regarding the "norms of morality." He believes that standing firm on this belief will not pull back society but help "prevent it from falling backward into chaotic darkness and the state of primitive man."
"This destruction of traditional values from above not only entails negative consequences for society, but is also inherently anti-democratic because it is based on an abstract notion and runs counter to the will of the majority of people," said Putin.
Back in 2013, Russia passed a law which stricly prohibits the display of homosexuality in front of minors. This was met with outrage by rights activists, Western governments, and even celebrities.
Russia also banned gay parents from adopting a child. It did, however, stop identifying homosexuality as a crime in 1993 and as a mental illness in 1999.