The Russian embassy in Canada is facing backlash from LGBTQ+ activists after they posted an offensive homophobic tweet. On 25 November, the government agency uploaded a photo of a Pride flag in the middle of a red prohibition sign with the caption: “It is all about family.
Family is a man and a woman and children.” Shortly after posting the harmful tweet, an array of activists and political officials slammed the embassy in various posts on social media.
One person wrote: “The Russian Embassy in Canada is now actively spreading hate against our LGBTQ+ community. Is it time for some diplomatic expulsions?” Another user tweeted: “So, someone at the Russian embassy just woke and decided to be homophobic?” The offensive tweet came a day after Russia’s lower house parliament voted to extend the country’s archaic ‘gay propaganda law’ to all adults.
Under the proposed legislation, which had its final reading on 24 November, citizens who are caught promoting “non-traditional” values could be fined up to 400,000 rubles (£5,600).