A law recently enforced by the Russian government prohibits promoting homosexuality to minors in Russia, with perpetrators incurring steep fines. This law set off a worldwide reaction that can be compared to the international response following the performance of the Russian feminist punk rock protest group Pussy Riot in Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior in February of 2012 .

The three members of the group were jailed after the trial, and two of these women are still serving their 2-year sentences. One of the imprisoned women, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, was sent to the colony IK-14, a former gulag colony and one of the most restricted and severe institutions for the prisoners in Russia. This is the price that these young women face for singing an offensive song addressed towards both the president and the fusion of the government and patriarchy in Moscow.

The situation and aftermath of Pussy Riot conflict seemed to be fading out until the anti-gay propaganda law was announced last June. Now the debate has picked up again with a fresh wave of angst and protest, especially in the international community.

After scanning various news sources in English and Russian media, I must acknowledge that there are two coherent sides of the story. On the one hand, there is a group of protestors and campaigners advocating for universal equality who find the implementation of the law, which has included the confiscation of 26 gay-themed art installations, to be open and offensive discrimination of the gay community in Russia. On the other hand, there are reports where Russian governmental representatives, such as Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, argue that the ban of propaganda does not equal direct discrimination of any communities in Russia. According to Mutko, the law is meant to protect Russian children from an influence by the information about what is considered non-traditional sexual relations in Russia.

Although the law passed with a 436-0 voting outcome, it immediately sparked major controversy. The gay communities around the world demonstrated their disapproval of the situation in Russia by boycotting Russian products, such as Russian vodka, and protesting in front of Russian embassies in different countries. Just as with Pussy Riot, the ban of gay-propaganda followed by the strong opinions of the notable individuals, such as Madonna and Lady Gaga, who publicly condemned the new law and recent human rights situation in Russia.

In the beginning of August, the LGBT campaigners demanded to ban the Winter Olympic Games that are meant to take place in 2014 in Sochi, Russia. The athletes have been quickly affiliated with this debate to the point that the recent kiss of the two Russian athletes, Ksenia Ryzhova and Yulia Gushina, after winning gold medal for the 4x100 relay at the World Athletics Championships was interpreted as demonstrative gesture against the gay propaganda law.

The Guardian reported that the athletes subsequently announced that this was not a gesture in support of either sides of the debate; it was simply a passionate congratulatory act between the two athletes aimed to celebrate the victory, their first gold in five years.

Despite all of the worldwide demonstrations, the law has been implemented and the Russian government passionately defends the law. On Aug. 22, BBC reported that since the International Olympic Committee received a reassurance from Russia that the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi will remain open to people of any sexual orientation, the newly implemented law at a federal level will not affect the Olympic Games and the long-awaited event will be hosted by Sochi as scheduled.

In analyzing this situation it is hard to leave out the other controversial issues that recently challenged the relationship between Russia and the West. The most important recent events in the international arena where Russia has played a significant role are the situation in Syria and the fact that Russia has granted asylum to Edward Snowden, the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency speaker. The latter was even followed by the cancellation of a September visit to Moscow by President Obama prior to the G20 conference in St. Petersburg.

I am not at all justifying the actions of Russian government that openly banned the LGBT propaganda in Russia, which immediately brought the gay discrimination and violation of human rights debate to the international table. I think it is important to consider the significance of the past month’s increase in tension between Russia and the West. Is it possible that these tensions account for exaggeration of the actual harm caused by this law?