Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle will meet with the Russian ambassador to Australia to discuss a controversial law passed by the city of St Petersburg that bans public discussion of homosexuality.

In March of 2012 a new law was adopted in St Petersburg, banning so-called ‘propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgenderness [sic] among minors’

The law punishes ‘homosexual propaganda’ in public with fines of up to $15,600 or up to 15 days in prison.

Russia’s State Duma, or parliament, is set to debate and vote on a law against ‘gay propaganda’ at 5pm Moscow time today (25 January).

The debate comes as news breaks that Kaliningrad region, with a population of almost a million, passed a similar law yesterday (24 January).

It’s the 10th Russian region to pass the law which forbids ‘homosexual propaganda’ to minors which it links to pedophilia.

Similar legislation already exists in St Petersburg, Ryazan, Arkangelsk, Kostroma, Magadansk, Samar, Bashkortostan, Krasnodar and Novosibirsk.

Madonna's latest album has been crowned Russia's top-seller of 2012, despite courting controversy by speaking out for gay rights during her tour of the country.

The Material Girl's MDNA record beat Adele's 21 and Born To Die by Lana Del Ray to be named this year's biggest selling album.

The news may come as a surprise to her homophobic detractors who were left fuming after she spoke out for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights during the Russian leg of her world tour.

A Russian arts website has responded to the anti-gay 'propaganda' law in St Petersburg by publishing kitsch postcard images of same-sex couples kissing in front of the city's most picturesque buildings and monuments.

The postcards, republished by the Guardian on Friday, were published by arts and culture website colta.ru.

A St Petersburg politician who authored the Russian city's anti-gay law is taking legal action against Lady Gaga for speaking out for LGBT rights during her show.

Vitaly Milonov, the United Russia party deputy who created the controversial St Petersburg act that prohibits ‘the promotion of homosexuality to minors’, claims the pop superstar broke the law at the beginning of her concert in the city at the weekend.

A leading European gay rights group has used international Human Rights Day to condemn gay gag laws now being discussed in Russia, Moldova, Lithuania and Ukraine.

ILGA-Europe says all the planned legislation in Eastern Europe violates basic human rights principles and sees the laws as a new attempt to criminalize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

Known as ‘homosexuality anti-propaganda laws’ they already exist in some states in Russia, most famously in St Petersburg where their introduction this year sparked international outcry.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says Russia does not need any law banning gay propaganda.

The former president added that his statement reflects his position and the position of the ruling United Russia party.

'Not every moral issue, behavioral habit or communication issue between people should be regulated,' Medvedev said in response to a question on banning homosexuality.

Cities in Italy are cancelling their 'twin' status with St Petersburg over anti-gay laws.

While Milan's city hall has already passed a bill with a majority vote, officials in Venice and Turin are in the process of cutting ties with the Russian city which passed legislation that imposes fines for spreading homosexual 'propaganda'.

Madonna has been ordered to appear in a Russian court for speaking in support of gay rights during a concert in St Petersburg.

A group of 10 anti-gay Russian activists from the Trade Union of Russian Citizens want the superstar to pay $10 million in damages, claiming she 'insulted their feelings' by flouting a city law adopted in March that imposes fines for spreading homosexual 'propaganda.'

According to Russia Today, a legal summons has been sent to the 53-year-old’s home address in New York.

A UK gay arts festival has been forced to cancel a two-year project in St Petersburg for fear of arrest under the Russian city's new homophobic laws.

Liverpool's Homotopia was due to show an exhibition chronicling the emergence of the gay rights movement in the UK and Europe, but organizers have pulled the program after being warned by British officials that they could be arrested or fined as a result.

Manchester Pride festivalgoers are being urged to show their suppport for St Petersburg's persecuted gay community by sending a text message.

The Russian city has been condemned by world leaders and human rights activists after it passed an anti-gay 'propaganda' law which effectively gags any public discussion of LGBT issues or events targeted at gay and trans people, including pride.

Manchester City Council, St Petersburg’s twin city in the UK, begged officials to veto the bill during a visit marking the 50th anniversary of the cities’ friendship in March.