The Russian lawmaker behind the country’s gay propaganda law, is now urging nationwide ban on men and women appearing topless in public.
St Petersburg lawmaker Vitaly Milonov, known for his orthodox stance and anti-gay campaigning, has prepared a bill imposing fines for “nudity or unethical attire” in public places.
The bill elucidates this as “either absence of clothes or nudity of either upper or lower parts of the body” for men and women alike. The list of “unethical clothing” includes men’s and women’s underwear and swimsuits. Milonov noted in explanations that the definition of swimwear and underwear can be found in the state register of industrial standards. Violation of the bill must be punished with an administrative fine between 1,000 and 3,000 rubles ($20-30)
The lawmaker emphasized the ban was only applicable outside beaches and other “zones of public recreation,” thereby likely excluding the scores of photographs depicting a shirtless Russian President Vlaimir Putin riding horses, fishing or swimming.
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Last year, Milonov suggested Russia ban all Apple products because they are produced by a company headed by an openly gay CEO – Tim Cook.