Putin: Gays Are Fine—If They Steer Clear of Kids

He was apparently trying to be magnanimous toward gay people, but it didn't quite come out that way. Asked today about Russia's views toward homosexuals, Putin said those in his country should "feel calm and at ease," reports the Washington Post. And then he added, "Just leave kids alone, please." In elaborating, the Russian president seemed to equate homosexuality with pedophilia, reports AP.

"We have no ban on nontraditional sexual relations," he said. "We have a ban on propaganda of homosexuality and pedophilia, I want to underline that, on propaganda among minors." That "propaganda" rule is causing lots of friction before next month's Olympic games in Sochi, with President Obama opting to skip and send gay delegates instead. (More Vladimir Putin stories.)