U.S. President Barack Obama will include Russian gay rights activists among rights campaigners and leaders of non-governmental organizations whom he will meet later this week when he is in St. Petersburg for the Group of 20 summit on September 5-6.
U.S. officials frequently meet with civil society groups when visiting Russia, angering the Kremlin. But it appears to be the first time activists of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights movement have been included in a presidential-level meeting.
Russian rights activists said the meeting is scheduled for September 5.
Obama and his administration have voiced concern over a law recently passed by Russia's parliament that targets "homosexual propaganda."
U.S. officials frequently meet with civil society groups when visiting Russia, angering the Kremlin. But it appears to be the first time activists of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights movement have been included in a presidential-level meeting.
Russian rights activists said the meeting is scheduled for September 5.
Obama and his administration have voiced concern over a law recently passed by Russia's parliament that targets "homosexual propaganda."
