Putin will not receive a gay dream-book

King Willem-Alexander will not hand over the 'Dream Book for Russia', by some gay organizations, to President Putin on Friday. It is not within the package of tasks of the King, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The Gaykrant and the gay advocacy organization COC presented the book to Minister of Foreign Affairs Timmermans. The Minister will consider whether the book will play a role at a meeting later this year at the Dutch Embassy in Moscow . Whether the Russian government will be represented at that meeting, the COC could not say.

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The reason the Gaykrant and the COC made the book is the strict gay legislation in Russia. Since June, it is prohibited to promote or distribute information about homosexuals and homosexuality.

The book is about dreams of Dutch about a Russia where human rights are respected. Frits Huffnagel, Sophie in 't Veld, Gordon, and Dolly Bellefleur all contributed to the book.

The COC is not disappointed. What matters is that the Netherlands firmly addresses the bad situation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Russia during the closing of the Netherlands-Russia year. The COC trusts Minister Timmermans will do so, and hopes the King will do his part.

Friday, the Russian President Putin will receive King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima in Moscow. Their visit to Russia is the closure of the Netherlands-Russia Year.