Canada to summon Russian ambassador over ‘hateful’ tweets towards LGBT+ community

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly asked her services on Monday to summon the Russian ambassador to Ottawa, Oleg Stepanov, following a series of anti-LGBT+ tweets, including one targeting an openly lesbian federal minister.

Messages posted by the Russian Embassy’s Twitter account echo the Duma’s adoption last week of a bill banning any LGBT+ “propaganda“, or “promoting non-traditional sexual relations” to all audiences, in the media, on the internet, in books and in films.

“The Russians have once again chosen hate propaganda,” said Emily Williams, spokesperson for Melanie Joly.

“This is an attack on Canadian values of acceptance and tolerance. Minister Joly asked the department to summon the Russian ambassador to convey this message to him,” she added.

The Russian tweets included a photo of a rainbow flag crossed out with a red line and accompanied by comments. “It’s all about family. Family is a man, a woman and children.”