@Anax That just sounds like a rather long-winded way of saying
@Anax Cannot comment directly on the new laws on homosexuality in russia. Have not really read the reports.
Some of your other comments though, are worth comment;
First, it presupposes a kind of level playing field, where people, whatever their, in this case, sexual orientation, are treated equally by all.
We know that is not true. Homophobia is still out there. It was not that long ago that it was regarded as shameful, you could be locked up, even chemically castrated, a la Alan Turing. Young kids felt pressured into hiding their sexuality, pretending they were something they were not, in order to conform and escape censure or loathing or bullying.
You have said it yourself, in your own post - ones sexuality is an intensely personal and integral part of who you are.
So - given that background of intolerance, disgust, inequality, shame, bigotry, bullying,violence and worse - how would combat such a situation?
The answer is simple. You band together. You form clubs of like-minded people, where you can be free to be exactly who you are - exactly like your heterosexual compatriots, in fact. Then you might, indignant and impatient with the injustice, campaign - politically an culturally.
And eventually, the tide of public opinion turns a little bit in your favour. It is no longer always a shameful offence to be homosexual. You no longer always have to hide who you are. You no longer always have to fear being beaten up or bullied- although make no mistake, it still happens.
And gradually that need for separate clubs will dissipate. Those Gay Pride marches will no longer be solely about Gay rights and gay pride, but become an occassion for general jollity. And finally, it just becomes part of life and we can all get along.
The danger with a law, rather innocuously described as trying to prevent the "promotion" of homosexuality would be - what is defined as promotion? Would a gay pride rally in Moscow for instance, standing up for yourself, your own sexuality and your own right to be treated as a human being - would that be regarded as "promoting" homosexuality, or flaunting your sexuality?
In short - examine the history of any equality movement. They all follow the same steps - Injustice, Ghetto Mentality, Protest, Radicalisation, Acceptance.
So no, I do not think the Duma are merely doing anything. I think they are taking active steps to introduce legal instruments of repression.