Russia unveils a 'flag for straights' to promote 'traditional values'

In an effort to combat what Russia is calling "gay fever," the country's ruling party has created a "flag for straights" to promote what it defines as "traditional values." The blue flag depicts a traditional family of a mother, father, and three children. Below them is the hashtag #realfamily, written in Russian. The flag, which is the creation of the United Russia party, was unveiled on Wednesday in Moscow.

Aleksey Lisovenko, the deputy head of the United Russia Party, told a Russian newspaper that the flag is a response to what Russia sees as an affront to traditional values. "This is our answer to same-sex marriages, this mockery of the very concept of family," he said. "We must prevent gay fever in our country and support traditional values."

The flag's unveiling comes just weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage. While homosexuality is not illegal in Russia, it is illegal to discuss homosexuality with minors there.

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