Recently, the Russian city of St. Petersburg approved a bill that will impose fines for the "promotion of homosexuality." If signed into law by the City Governor, Valentina Matviyenko, St. Persburg residents will be subjected to fines of up to 500,000 rubles (approximately $16,700) for "public activities promoting homosexuality (sodomy and lesbianism), bisexualism and transgender identity."

The legislation legalizes discrimination against LGBT people and makes illegal everything from gay pride events to public displays of affection between same-sex couples. In doing so, the bill violates Russia's own constitution, as well as a number of international treaties that outline freedom of expression as a basic human right. 

Act now to urge St. Petersburg City Governor Valentina Matviyenko to stop the anti-LGBT bill from becoming law. 

We the undersigned urge you not to sign into law the bill imposing fines for the "promotion of homosexuality."

The legislation would legalize discrimination against LGBT people and, in doing so, violates Russia's constitution, as well as a number of international treaties that outline freedom of expression as a basic human right. 

We therefore call on you to stop this anti-LGBT bill from becoming law. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.