Russian Communist Party MPs Ivan Nikitchuk and Nikolay Arefyev have drafted a bill that would make “public expression of non-traditional sexual relations” illegal

They propose that any “demonstration of one’s distorted sexual preferences in public places” should be considered a violation. The crime would be punishable with fines of approximately €70- €90 and those who do this in educational and cultural establishments or offices of state and municipal authorities can face up to 15 days in jail.

In Russia, a ban on gay propaganda already exists. This law prohibits any advocacy on behalf of non-traditional relationships that minors might be exposed to. Activists have been arrested under the law for gay rights rallies and protests.

The proposed law is more stricter. It would punish gay people for openly acknowledging their sexuality, even if they don’t advocate for anything.

Nikitchuk claims homosexuality is a “grave danger for any normal person and for humanity as a whole.” He said “In a biological sense, failure to reproduce is the same as death and this makes homosexuality a deadly danger for humanity.”

The proposed law has already met with criticism from the gay rights campaigners and, surprisingly, from St. Petersburg city lawmaker Vitaly Milonov, known as the main sponsor of the 2013 law banning gay propaganda to minors. Milonov said that the existing norms were sufficient because any public statement could also affect children and this is already banned.

Like Ireland, Russia’s ban on same-sex relations was lifted in 1993. Under the new law, sex between two men or two women would still be legal, but it can not be publicly acknowledged.

Last month President Vladimir Putin claimed he doesn’t see “any infringement on the rights of gay people” and believes “we have no persecution at all.” He told 60 Minutes that claims of homophobia in Russia have been “exaggerated.”