US radio host: ‘Russia’s new laws are not homophobic, but homorealistic’

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US christian radio host Bryan Fischer has weighed in on the international outcry surrounding recently passed Russian anti-gay laws, to say that Russia is simply “homorealistic”, not homophobic.

Speaking on behalf of the adamantly homophobic American Family Association, Fischer spoke to Voice of Russia, using the term “homorealistic”, regarding the law which bans homosexual “propaganda”.

“Russia is not being homophobic, it’s homorealistic — the Russian government is trying to take the issue into consideration and establish public policy to contribute to public health,” he said. “Homosexual behaviour is just as risky as drug abuse.”

“I think the Russian government is right to be concerned with propaganda on teenagers who are at the age of struggling through sexual identity,” he continued. “Homosexual behaviour damages the body and soul. We love homosexuals enough to tell them the truth.”

“Heterosexuality is God’s design. Policies that encourage young people to think this are good ideas,” Fischer said.

President Vladimir Putin signed the law in June banning the promotion of “non-traditional relationships” toward minors, a move that has been criticised as part of a broader crackdown on Russia’s gay community. Other laws banning the adoption of Russian children by foreign same-sex couples, and one which enables organisations receiving funding from abroad to be fined as “foreign agents”, were also passed.