Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008. He was also the Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012.
Alphonso David (born 1970) is an American attorney and LGBT civil rights leader. In August 2019, he became the president of the Human Rights Campaign. He is the first civil rights lawyer and first person of color to serve as president of the organization.
Russian Voters Back Referendum Banning Same-Sex Marriage
Russia voted in favor of a national referendum that defines marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman. The referendum consisted of hundreds of constitutional changes, including one provision that will allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036.
Over two-thirds of the Russian public voted in favor of the numerous measures and solidifying Putin’s position in leadership.
Alphonso David, President of the Human Rights Campaign, slammed the ban on gay marriage, calling Putin a “threat to the human rights of all.” “Russia is tripling down on its attacks on the basic human rights and dignity of LGBTQ people by adding constitutional prohibitions against marriage equality,” David said in a statement. “Putin and his
