Mayor of Iceland’s capital wants to sever ties to Russia

Reykjavik doesn’t want to be linked to Putin’s anti-gay law

Jón Gnarr, mayor of the Icelandic capital Reykjavik, says he wants to cut off political and cultural ties with Russia because of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s legal attacks on gay people.

A statement from the Reykjavik city council says the city’s chief administrative officer will “propose amendments for the termination of the collaboration agreement between Reykjavik and Moscow,” according to Icelandic news agency Visir.

Last month, Putin signed a law making it criminal to give any information about homosexuality to children. The law effectively bans the publication of gay material, public Pride celebrations and any public display of affection by gay people.

The metropolitan region of Reykjavik includes nearly two thirds of the population of Iceland. The city has been a sister city to Moscow since 2007.

Niko Bell

Niko Bell is a writer, editor and translator from Vancouver. He writes about sexual health, science, food and language.

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