Williams Institute Expert Submits Statement in Legal Challenge to Russia’s Ban on “Homosexual Propaganda”

Published on Friday, 27 June 2014 09:43 In a 60-page statement, Dr. Ilan Meyer, a social epidemiologist at the Williams Institute, countered claims that Russia’s ban on homosexual propaganda would help avert disease and mental illness and protect children from alleged negative health outcomes. His statement was submitted to the European Court of Human Rights in Bayev v. Russia, a case brought by three gay rights activists who were arrested for violating the law when engaging in peaceful protests, and responds to claims by the Family and Demography Foundation in Russia.

Dr. Meyer states that “contrary to the Foundation’s argument, homosexuals are not at risk of disease because they are homosexual. Rather, risk of disease results from social rejection, stigma, and prejudice related to homophobia.”

Dr. Meyer used the minority stress model to describe the relationship between social stressors, mental disorders and health disparities which the law can trigger. He also cites UNESCO and World Health Organization recommendations that public education can improve health outcomes for sexual minorities. Full statement, click here.

Statement of facts, click here.  

Source: The Williams Institute