Russian Orthodox Church spokesman, Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin (above), made the following statement concerning a proposed national referendum on criminalizing homosexual acts: “There is no question that society should discuss this issue since we live in a democracy. For this reason, it is precisely the majority of our people and not some outside powers that should decide what should be a criminal offence and what should not. I am convinced that such sexual contacts should be completely excluded from the life of our society. If we manage to do this through moral pressure, all the better. But if we need to revert to assistance from the law, then let us ask the people if they are ready for this.”