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A group of Russian companies have removed a memorial to Steve Jobs following Tim Cook’s affirmation that he is gay.
The Guardian reports that the West European Financial Union [ZEFS] dismantled the six-foot high iPhone-shaped monument, citing the need to abide by Vladimir Putin’s controversial ‘gay propaganda’ laws.
In Russia, gay propaganda and other sexual perversions among minors are prohibited by law,” ZEFS said. After Apple CEO Tim Cook publicly called for sodomy, the monument was taken down to abide to the Russian federal law protecting children from information promoting denial of traditional family values.”
Putin has repeatedly insisted that the laws do not discriminate against homosexuals, although they continue to court controversy. Earlier this year the Russian president told gay visitors to the Sochi Winter Olympics that you can feel free in your relationships but leave children alone please".
He has argued that Russia doesn’t have a ban on non-traditional sexual relations" and instead "has a ban on promoting homosexuality and paedophilia among minors".
Earlier this year EA title The Sims 4 was given an 18+ age rating in the country in accordance with the law number 436-FZ ‘On the protection of children from information harmful to their health and development’” due to its inclusion of optional same-sex relationships.
Tim Cook last week released an open letter about his homosexuality.
Throughout my professional life, I’ve tried to maintain a basic level of privacy [but] I’ve come to realize that my desire for personal privacy has been holding me back from doing something more important. That’s what has led me to today,” he said.
I don’t consider myself an activist, but I realise how much I’ve benefited from the sacrifice of others. So if hearing that the CEO of Apple is gay can help someone struggling to come to terms with who he or she is, or bring comfort to anyone who feels alone, or inspire people to insist on their equality, then it’s worth the trade-off with my own privacy.”
