Russia going to another extreme

It has been reported by the Associated Press that a deputy from the United Russia party is proposing a law to take children away from same-sex parents. All rights and custody of their children would be lost. State Duma deputy Alexi Zhuravlev is proposing that nontraditional sexual orientation is equivalent to drug use or child abuse – grounds for parents to lose their children.

Zhuravlev argues that homosexual propaganda is not only wrong in public, but within the family as well. A draft bill was posted to Parliament’s website.

This news comes recently after it was reported that Russian president Vladimir Putin claims that homosexuals are not being discriminated against and that he has worked with several of them and given awards to some. Putin signed a law in July that bars gay people in other countries from adopting Russian children.

Illinois organization supports Russian anti- LGBT laws

Six U.S. organizations have signed an international petition in support of Russia’s current anti-LGBT laws – one being based in Northern Illinois. The Rockford-based World Congress of Families is among over 100 conservative groups worldwide praising Vladimir Putin’s anti-LGBT legislation. Other U.S. groups include the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute, Mission: America and His Servants.

According to the petition reported on windycitymediagroup.com, those who sign are “acknowledging that the Russian law protects the innocence of children and the basic rights of their parents recognized in the international legislation and treaties. With its new law, Russia is protecting genuine and universally recognized human rights against artificial and fabricated values; aggressively imposed in many modern societies.”

Colville Tribal Council to recognize same-sex marriage

The Colville Tribal Council of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Nation located in Washington has voted to recognize same-sex marriage. According to the “The Wenatchee World,” this ruling will extend to all members of the Native American tribe – half of whom live on the Colville Reservation.

Even though Washington State approved same-sex marriage last November, federally recognized Native American tribes are exempt from state laws due to being self-governed. Colville tribes have already recognized and respected LGBT people within their community and have permitted members in partnerships to add their spouse to their insurance and benefit plans.

In recent years, numerous Native American tribes around the country have formally recognized LGBT rights and same-sex marriage. The Coquille Indian Tribe in southern Oregon became the first tribe to recognize marriage equality in 2008. The Suquamish Tribe in Suquamish, Wash. joined the party in 2011. There are currently six total Native American tribes within the U.S. that recognize marriage equality.