RUSSIA

St. Petersburg lawmakers decided on Wednesday to postpone a vote on a bill banning propaganda that promotes homosexuality and pedophilia.

“We decided to clarify all legal definitions connected to this law,” Vitaly Milonov, the bill’s author, told Interfax.

The law brackets homosexuality and pedophilia, forbidding them being promoted anywhere where children might be nearby. Concerns have been raised that it would prevent campaigning for gay rights and any display of affection.

Valentina Matviyenko, speaker of the Federation Council, Russia’s upper house, said after the first reading that she would support bringing the law into force across the whole country.