Mikhail Dyegtyaryov, Russian Mayoral Candidate: 'Ban Gay Blood Donation & Offer Free Conversion Therapy'

Ban Gay Blood Donation & Offer Free Conversion Therapy, Urges Moscow Mayoral Candidate
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Mikhail Dyegtyaryov says gay and bisexual men should be banned from providing blood donations
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A Russian politician who is running for Moscow mayor is proposing banning gay and bisexual men from donating blood.

Mikhail Dyegtyaryov says his plans are not discriminatory but precautionary, citing an unverified statistic that “over 65 per cent of HIV-infected individuals are men”, Interfax reports.

“We will suggest amendments to the law on donors that reintroduce homosexuality to the list of contraindications for blood donations in Health Ministry instructions,” RT quotes him as saying.

Dyegtyaryov also claims the State Duma is considering a providing anonymous and voluntary counselling for gay and bisexual people who wish to be heterosexual.

He said: “Many want to return to a normal life, to become heterosexual like 95 to 99 per cent of our citizens.”

Oh, and he’s also pushing for legislation to give women two days off a month to combat the “societal” scourge of menstruation, Ria Novosti reveals.

He said: “In this period, the majority of women experience psychological and physical discomfort. Often the pain for the fair sex is so intense that they are forced to call an ambulance.”

A copy of the bill on his website adds: “Strong pain induces heightened fatigue, reduces memory and work-competence and leads to colourful expressions of emotional discomfort.

Gay Rights In Russia
(01 of18)
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FILE - Riot police guard gay rights activists who were beaten by anti-gay protesters during an authorized gay rights rally in St. Petersburg, Russia, in this Saturday, June 29, 2013 file photo. Earlier in the year, President Vladimir Putin signed a law that will impose hefty fines for holding gay pride rallies or providing information about the gay community to minors. Amid a surge of anti-gay violence and repression in several countries, the United Nations human rights office on Friday, July 26, 2013 launched its first global outreach campaign aimed at promoting more tolerance and greater equality for lesbians, gays, transgender people and bisexuals. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky, File) (credit:AP)
(02 of18)
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Gay rights activists hold a banner reading "Homophobia - the religion of bullies" during their action in protest at homophobia, on Red Square in Moscow, Russia, on Sunday, July 14, 2013. Police detained several gay activists. (AP Photo/Evgeny Feldman) (credit:AP)
Maxim Lysak, Jury Gavrikov(03 of18)
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FILE - In this Saturday, June 29, 2013 file photo, riot police (OMON) officers detain gay rights activists Maxim Lysak and Jury Gavrikov during an authorized gay rights rally in St.Petersburg, Russia. As the hub of the Soviet Union, Russia was reviled for rights abuses by many U.S. conservatives during the Cold War. Now some are voicing support and admiration as Russian authorities crack down on gay-rights activism. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky, File) (credit:AP)
(04 of18)
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Riot police (OMON) guard gay rights activists who have been beaten by anti-gay protesters during an authorized gay rights rally in St.Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, June 29, 2013. Police detained several gay activists, who were outnumbered by the protesters. Dozens of gay activists had to be protected by police as they gathered for the parade, which proceeded with official approval despite recently passed legislation targeting gays. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) (credit:AP)
(05 of18)
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Gay rights activists shout slogans during their authorized rally in St.Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, June 29, 2013. Police detained several gay activists, who were outnumbered by the protesters. Dozens of gay activists had to be protected by police as they gathered for the parade, which proceeded with official approval despite recently passed legislation targeting gays. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) (credit:AP)
(06 of18)
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Riot police (OMON) guard gay rights activists who have been beaten by anti-gay protesters during an authorized gay rights rally in St.Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, June 29, 2013. Police detained several gay activists, who were outnumbered by the protesters. Dozens of gay activists had to be protected by police as they gathered for the parade, which proceeded with official approval despite recently passed legislation targeting gays. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) (credit:AP)
(07 of18)
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Riot police (OMON) walk past sunbathers after an authorized gay rights rally in St.Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, June 29, 2013. Police detained several gay activists, who were outnumbered by the protesters. Dozens of gay activists had to be protected by police as they gathered for the parade, which proceeded with official approval despite recently passed legislation targeting gays. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) (credit:AP)
Maxim Lysak, Jury Gavrikov(08 of18)
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Riot police (OMON) officers detain gay rights activists Maxim Lysak and Jury Gavrikov during an authorized gay rights rally in St.Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, June 29, 2013. Police detained several gay activists, who were outnumbered by the protesters. Dozens of gay activists had to be protected by police as they gathered for the parade, which proceeded with official approval despite recently passed legislation targeting gays. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) (credit:AP)
(09 of18)
Open Image Modal
Riot police (OMON) officers detain gay rights activists during their authorized rally in St.Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, June 29, 2013. Police detained several gay activists, who were outnumbered by the protesters. Dozens of gay activists had to be protected by police as they gathered for the parade, which proceeded with official approval despite recently passed legislation targeting gays. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) (credit:AP)
(10 of18)
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An anti-gay protester, center, fights with gay rights activists during an authorized gay rights rally in St.Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, June 29, 2013. Police detained several gay activists, who were outnumbered by the protesters. Dozens of gay activists had to be protected by police as they gathered for the parade, which proceeded with official approval despite recently passed legislation targeting gays. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) (credit:AP)
(11 of18)
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Anti-gay protesters shout slogans at gay right activists during an authorized gay rights rally in St.Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, June 29, 2013. Police detained several gay activists, who were outnumbered by the protesters. Dozens of gay activists had to be protected by police as they gathered for the parade, which proceeded with official approval despite recently passed legislation targeting gays. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) (credit:AP)
RUSSIA-GAY-RIGHTS-DEMO(12 of18)
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Gay rights activists take part in a gay pride event in Saint Petersburg on June 29, 2013. Russian police arrested dozens of people on June 29 after clashes erupted in the city of Saint Petersburg between pro- and anti-gay demonstrators. AFP PHOTO / OLGA MALTSEVA (Photo credit should read OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Jury Gavrikov(13 of18)
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Riot police (OMON) officers detain gay rights activist Jury Gavrikov during an authorized gay rights rally in St.Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, June 29, 2013. Police detained several gay activists, who were outnumbered by the protesters. Dozens of gay activists had to be protected by police as they gathered for the parade, which proceeded with official approval despite recently passed legislation targeting gays. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) (credit:AP)
RUSSIA-GAY-RIGHTS-DEMO(14 of18)
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Gay rights activists take part in a gay pride event in Saint Petersburg on June 29, 2013. Russian police arrested dozens of people on June 29 after clashes erupted in the city of Saint Petersburg between pro- and anti-gay demonstrators. AFP PHOTO / OLGA MALTSEVA (Photo credit should read OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
RUSSIA-GAY-RIGHTS-DEMO(15 of18)
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Anti-gay demonstrators gather on the sidelines of a gay pride event in Saint Petersburg on June 29, 2013. Russian police arrested dozens of people on June 29 after clashes erupted in the city of Saint Petersburg between pro- and anti-gay demonstrators. AFP PHOTO / OLGA MALTSEVA (Photo credit should read OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
RUSSIA-GAY-RIGHTS-DEMO(16 of18)
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Gay rights activists embrace each other after clashes with anti-gay demonstrators during a gay pride event in St. Petersburg on June 29, 2013. Russian police arrested dozens of people on Saturday after clashes erupted in the city of Saint Petersburg between pro- and anti-gay demonstrators. AFP PHOTO / OLGA MALTSEVA (Photo credit should read OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
RUSSIA-GAY-RIGHTS-DEMO(17 of18)
Open Image Modal
Russian riot police detain gay rights activists during a gay pride event in St. Petersburg on June 29, 2013. Russian police arrested dozens of people on Saturday after clashes erupted in the city of Saint Petersburg between pro- and anti-gay demonstrators. AFP PHOTO / OLGA MALTSEVA (Photo credit should read OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
RUSSIA-GAY-RIGHTS-DEMO(18 of18)
Open Image Modal
Russian riot police detain gay rights activists during a gay pride event in St. Petersburg on June 29, 2013. Russian police arrested dozens of people on Saturday after clashes erupted in the city of Saint Petersburg between pro- and anti-gay demonstrators. AFP PHOTO / OLGA MALTSEVA (Photo credit should read OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

“Therefore scientists and gynaecologists look on difficult menstruation not only as a medical, but also a social problem.”

Dyegtyaryov’s proposals are the latest in a rash of anti-gay sentiment which was sparked by the suggestion homosexual athletes and supporters could face arrest at the country’s upcoming Winter Olympic Games.

Lawmaker Vitaly Milonov has warned that Russia’s new “gay propaganda ban” can not be selectively enforced or suspended during the event in Sochi in 2014.

The “gay propaganda” ban was enacted in June and essentially bans displays of homosexuality. It is also “illegal to spread information about non-traditional sexual behaviour” to minors (under 18s).

Signed into law by President Vladimir Putin, the legislation gives the Russian government the right to detain gay or “pro-gay” foreigners up to 14 days before facing expulsion from the country.