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Vladimir Putin's United Russia Party unveils 'straight flag' to rival gay pride symbol Vladimir Putin's United Russia Party unveils 'straight flag' to rival gay pride symbol
(about 2 hours later)
Upset, dismayed and evidently feeling a little left out by the global embrace of the gay pride flag following the US Supreme Court ruling legalising same-sex marriage, Vladimir Putin's United Russia Party has hit back against with their own "straight" flag.Upset, dismayed and evidently feeling a little left out by the global embrace of the gay pride flag following the US Supreme Court ruling legalising same-sex marriage, Vladimir Putin's United Russia Party has hit back against with their own "straight" flag.
While homosexuality is not illegal in Russia, Mr Putin introduced a law in 2013 that bans symbols which promote "non-traditional" values.While homosexuality is not illegal in Russia, Mr Putin introduced a law in 2013 that bans symbols which promote "non-traditional" values.
Homosexuality is not illegal in Russia, however the country has implemented a law since 2013 which outlaws the use of symbols which could be considered "propaganda" promoting "non traditional" values. Therefore, in response to the LGBT movement's rainbow flag, the United Russia Party unveiled a banner celebrating the traditional, nuclear Russian family. The flag depicts two parents - a woman and a man - holding hands with three children.
Therefore, in response to the LGBT movement's rainbow flag, the United Russia Party unveiled a flag that celebrates the traditional, nuclear Russian family: it depicts two parents - a woman and a man - holding hands with three children. The flag was unveiled at a party rally in Moscow's Sokolniki park on the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, an annual country-wide celebration held on July 8. It was unveiled at a party rally in Moscow's Sokolniki park on the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, an annual country-wide celebration held on July 8.
Andrei Lisovenko, deputy head of the United Russia branch in Moscow, told the Izvestia newspaper, "This is our response to same-sex marriage, to this mockery of the concept of the family.Andrei Lisovenko, deputy head of the United Russia branch in Moscow, told the Izvestia newspaper, "This is our response to same-sex marriage, to this mockery of the concept of the family.
A photo posted by Alex (@fuflexx) on Jul 8, 2015 at 9:57am PDT
"We have to warn against gay-fever at home and support traditional values in our country."We have to warn against gay-fever at home and support traditional values in our country.
"We are speaking of the traditional family. We mean the average standard Russian family that is ours: mother, father and three children.""We are speaking of the traditional family. We mean the average standard Russian family that is ours: mother, father and three children."
The flag was launched alongside the hashtag: #realfamily and it comes in three different Russian coloured backgrounds. The flag was launched alongside the hashtag #realfamily and it comes in three different Russian-coloured backgrounds.
On social media, many were quick to point out that United Russia may have a plagiarism case on their hands, given that the flag of La Manif Pour Tous, a French group against gay marriage, is incredibly similar to the Russian one, the only difference being that United Russia's nuclear family has three children, while the French stopped at just the two kids. On social media, many were quick to point out that United Russia may have a plagiarism case on their hands, given that the flag of La Manif Pour Tous, a French group against gay marriage, is incredibly similar to the Russian one - the only difference being that United Russia's nuclear family has three children, while the French stopped at just the two kids.
A photo posted by Alex (@fuflexx) on Jul 8, 2015 at 9:57am PDTA photo posted by Alex (@fuflexx) on Jul 8, 2015 at 9:57am PDT
Others were just as quick to have fun mocking United Russia's attempt to rival the rainbow flag.Others were just as quick to have fun mocking United Russia's attempt to rival the rainbow flag.
Erk. Russia's Straight Family Pride flag...I mean, statistically speaking one of those kids is probably gay... pic.twitter.com/mFLmUxp0OZErk. Russia's Straight Family Pride flag...I mean, statistically speaking one of those kids is probably gay... pic.twitter.com/mFLmUxp0OZ
Fixed that for you http://t.co/tUIoEeONC8 pic.twitter.com/hKm6sRlstbFixed that for you http://t.co/tUIoEeONC8 pic.twitter.com/hKm6sRlstb
A Stonewall spokesperson said: "A #realfamily is not determined by sexual orientation or gender identity, but love. That sentiment is certainly missing from this flag as is, in our opinion, a splash more colour. It’s also another example of how much work we still have left to do to combat homophobic, biphobic and transphobic attitudes and behaviours."A Stonewall spokesperson said: "A #realfamily is not determined by sexual orientation or gender identity, but love. That sentiment is certainly missing from this flag as is, in our opinion, a splash more colour. It’s also another example of how much work we still have left to do to combat homophobic, biphobic and transphobic attitudes and behaviours."