Obama to meet with Russian gay rights advocates
President Barack Obama is set to meet with Russian civil society leaders Friday, an event likely to touch on the sensitive subject of gay rights in the nation amid tensions over Syria.Earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law passed by parliament that bans the discussion of gay relationships.where children might hear it. Violators can be fined and, if they are foreigners, deported.Critics say the Russian law is so vague that someone can be prosecuted for wearing a rainbow T-shirt or holding hands in public with someone of the same sex.At the event Friday in Russia, Obama is due to meet with representatives of groups that support a range of causes, including media freedom, protection of the environment and rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individual people.The controversy over the law is one of several disputes between the United States and Russia,Obama and Putin met briefly Thursday at the hat is taking place in St. Petersburg at the moment, shaking hands and exchanging a few words. Officials say the two leaders could have a longer meeting on the margins of the event.
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