EDGE Los Angeles

Russia is on its way to sharply limiting the adoption of children by people from countries that allow same-sex marriage.

The recent passage of a bill stigmatizing the gay community by the lower house of Russia’s parliament and anti-gay violence that ensued, has officials of the IOC concerned about the upcoming Winter Olympics scheduled to take place in Sochi, Russia.

Thousands of Russian opposition activists, including gay activists, marched through Moscow on Wednesday, decrying President Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian rule and calling for the release of people they consider political prisoners.

A bill that stigmatizes Russia’s gay community and bans the distribution of information about homosexuality to children was overwhelmingly approved by the lower house of parliament Tuesday.

A dozen activists have been detained in Moscow as they were protesting a bill that stigmatizes the gay community and penalizes dissemination of information about them.

Even though some parts of the world have progressed on LGBT issues, Russia and its surrounding areas continue to promote anti-gay laws, causing an increase of violence against the LGBT community.

Moscow officials say they have rejected a request to hold a gay pride event in Russia’s capital city.

Investigators say a 23-year-old Russian man was brutally beaten and left to die by his companions after drunkenly telling them he was gay.

About 100 gay rights activists in St. Petersburg, Russia, held rainbow flags and pro-gay signs during the city’s May Day parade. Last year, 17 activists were arrested during the event under the city’s controversial "gay propaganda" law.

The head of a Russian parliamentary committee says the legislature is ready to prevent adoptions by foreign same-sex couples.