The Russian Parliament approves toughening the law that represses "LGBT propaganda"

• Controversy Russia: the war for gay propaganda reaches the supermarket

Russian deputies voted on Thursday to tighten the controversial law that represses "LGBT propaganda", a new sign of the

in the country in full offensive in Ukraine.

"During the plenary session, the deputies of the Duma (parliament) unanimously approved in the first reading the amendments to the legislation that

," the legislature reported on its website.

Senior officials had urged lawmakers to adopt the law, which they described as part of a clash of civilizations between the West at a time when Moscow's troops are fighting in Ukraine.

The draft still has to go through two readings, before going to the upper house, and before it can be sent to Russian President

for his enactment.

This amendment toughens a 2013 law that criminalizes the dissemination of what the authorities call "gay propaganda" to minors.

Now the

and the "promotion of non-traditional sexual orientations" directed at adults.

These prohibitions concern "the media, the internet, literature and cinema" and also advertising.

"Films that promote non-traditional sexual relationships will not receive a certification for their broadcast," the Duma warned.

The text also vetoes "information likely to induce the desire to change sex" aimed at minors.

Any infraction carries heavy fines and foreigners who break this rule may be expelled, according to the Duma.

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