Brighton Kemptown's Conservative MP, Simon Kirby, has written to the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, urging him to condemn the Russian Government's treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people. The full text if his letter can be read below:
Dear William,
I am contacting you regarding the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) people in the Russian Federation. You will be aware of the appalling record of the Russian Government in this area during recent years, and I am sure you share my view that the situation for LGBT people in Russia appears to be deteriorating.
The recent ban on the distribution of so-called “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” in the media is a clear effort to suppress the voice of the LGBT community and further isolate LGBT people within Russian society. These are people whose rights are already frequently violated and who enjoy no protection from discrimination or harassment under Russian law.
In this country we have seen the steady advance of rights for LGBT people, culminating in the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act which I am proud that this Government introduced. I am sure that you share in my dismay that LGBT people in one of the largest and most populous nations on Earth are not enjoying the same advance in equality, and in fact face the opposite.
The upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi will see this issue receive international attention and provide the perfect opportunity to exert external pressure upon President Putin and his Government. We must take this opportunity to try and improve the lives of millions of LGBT people in Russia.
As a man who has fought tirelessly for the advancement of human rights across the world I urge you to lead in the international condemnation of the Russian Government’s treatment of LGBT people.
Yours ever,
Simon Kirby MP