California Legislators Pushing for Sanctions Against Russia Because of Anti-Gay Legislation

Resolution would urge public retirement funds not to invest resources in Russia

California legislators are jumping into the fray over new Russian laws seen as an infringement of the rights of gays and lesbians.

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and others have signed on to support a resolution to be introduced Monday by Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) that urges California's public retirement systems not to invest future resources in Russia.

The resolution is in response to new laws signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin that ban gay adoptions as well as "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations," including gay pride events.

"The anti-gay laws recently passed in Russia are an unconscionable affront to LGBT people across the world, not just those who live in that country," Leno said in a statement. "Californians cannot silently sit back and tacitly condone these practices by continuing to invest in and support Russian enterprises."