FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Family Equality Council Condemns Alarming Proposed Law in Russia to Deny Gay Parents Custody of Their Children
Proposed Law Compares Being an LGBT Parent with Alcoholism, Drug Use, and Abuse
Washington, DC – (September 5th, 2013) – Family Equality Council, the national organization that connects, supports and represents the nation’s three million parents who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) and their six million children, today condemned a proposed bill in Russia, posted to the Russian Parliament’s website, that would make parents’ sexual orientation a basis for denying custody of their children. The proposed bill would add sexual orientation to other categories for denying custody rights to parents such as alcoholism, drug use, and abuse.
“No family should have to live in fear because of who they are or who they love,” said Family Equality Council Executive Director Gabriel Blau. “As we work to gain social and legal equality for families with LGBT parents here in the United States, we stand with our families in Russia. Along with our partners in the International community, we will do what we can to correct this frightening and dangerous situation.”
“As I celebrate Rosh Hashanah with my own family, I am humbly reflecting on the kind of world we are creating for our children, and I know we can do better” added Blau. “In the face of such hatred, it’s up to each of us to stand witness to the mistreatment of our families, no matter where they live.”
This statement follows reporting by the Washington Post and the Associated Press that the author of the law, Alexei Zhuravlev, stated homosexual “propaganda” had to be banned not only in the public space “but also in the family.” Washington Post/AP.
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Contact: Sean Carlson | Digital Communications Manager
scarlson@familyequality.org | 202.550.2315