Petition in Melbourne against St Petersburg's anti-gay laws

Melbournians have launched a petition to suspend the city's sister-city relationship with St. Petersburg after Russia's parliament introduced new laws banning "homosexual propaganda".

Backed by the Russian orthodox church, city officials say "propaganda can harm health" but protestors in Russia and Australia have described it as a "light version of criminalisation" and say it's a violation of human rights.

"These laws cleary breach human rights standards. They clearly promote discrimination and in fact, promote violence and hatred," said Anna Brown of the Australian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby.

Melbourne citizens will submit a 10,000-strong petition to the Mayor Robert Doyle, asking to "suspend 'Sister City' status of St. Petersburg until they revoke their harsh anti-gay laws."