Reasons for Russia's anti gay shift

[ag]

Have any of you actually met Russians?  They're all over the place in the beach resorts here, and a more unpleasant group of people would be difficult to imagine. 

I've seen one about 5 minutes ago. In the mirror Not that this would do anything, but confirm you in your observation

[ag]

Out of curiosity, are there any authoritarian regimes in the world that are fairly tolerant of homosexuality?  Do all of them, whether religious or not, claim that the gay rights movement is an evil Western plot?

Cuba, for instance.

[ag]

Let's not invent things about the Orthodox church. Yes, a lot of Russians self-identify as Orthodox these days - but most of them rarely so much as see a priest, still less listen to what one says. Russian "religiosity" is, mostly, of rather mystical new-agey type - they'd pretty much believe in anything that appears to be a religion. Tradition is, mostly, followed in its breach. Though, of course, the STATE, such as it is, is getting increasingly identified with the Russian Orthodox Church.  And the Church is actively using this identification to attack all sort of competition that has emerged.

Anyway, no need to invent anything new. Russia has always been homophobic and illiberal. Under communism, male homosexuality (literally, "men lying with men", in the language of the Communist criminal code) was punishable with prison. At least, we are still not there - man lying with man by itself is not (yet?) punishable in the new Russia.

[ag]

Have any of you actually met Russians?  They're all over the place in the beach resorts here, and a more unpleasant group of people would be difficult to imagine. 

Russia is our holy fortress, Russia is our favorite country. Powerful will and great glory are things you have earned for all time.

Don't do this new-fangled bullsh**t. The guy was senile by the time (we are told) he wrote it.  The unbreakable Union of free republics was built forever by the Great Russia.

[ag]

Speaking of: There are a lot of recent Russian immigrants in the Sacramento, CA area. They are generally very right-wing, especially on cultural issues; a small segment of them are involved in local right-wing extremist groups.

And aren't most of them Jewish?

[ag]

Huh... the few Americans of Russian descent I've met have actually all be quite socially liberal, and I've generally attributed it partially to the fact that communism left a relatively secular legacy in Russia. But it seems that as that legacy fades, Russia is going back to what it was before World War I... one of the most illiberal countries in Europe.

Most Russians I know are Orthodox Jews, so....

And quite a few of them are, probably, birthers (at least, those over 50).

[ag]

Huh... the few Americans of Russian descent I've met have actually all be quite socially liberal, and I've generally attributed it partially to the fact that communism left a relatively secular legacy in Russia. But it seems that as that legacy fades, Russia is going back to what it was before World War I... one of the most illiberal countries in Europe.

The word "descent" may be key here. Those born in Russia (like your humble servant) are, usually, a lot more conservative. Especially culturally.