EDGE Miami

A bill that stigmatizes Russia’s gay community and bans the distribution of information about homosexuality to children was overwhelmingly approved by the lower house of parliament Tuesday.

A dozen activists have been detained in Moscow as they were protesting a bill that stigmatizes the gay community and penalizes dissemination of information about them.

Nevada lawmakers approved a bill to abolish the Protection of Marriage Act ratified by voters in 2002 and declare that Nevada will recognize all marriages regardless of gender. If approved again by the 2015 Legislature, it will go to voters in 2016.

Lawmakers in Nigeria passed a bill Thursday banning gay marriage and outlawing anyone from forming organizations supporting gay rights, setting prison terms of up to 14 years for offenders.

The parents of Kaitlyn Hunt’s 14-year-old freshman girlfriend, Jim and Laurie Smith, spoke out to CBS News 12 in what the news station acknowledged to be an "unprecedented" interview.

Even though some parts of the world have progressed on LGBT issues, Russia and its surrounding areas continue to promote anti-gay laws, causing an increase of violence against the LGBT community.

Moscow officials say they have rejected a request to hold a gay pride event in Russia’s capital city.

About 100 gay rights activists in St. Petersburg, Russia, held rainbow flags and pro-gay signs during the city’s May Day parade. Last year, 17 activists were arrested during the event under the city’s controversial "gay propaganda" law.

A measure that would have forced schools to tell parents if their children have talked to a teacher or counselor about being gay has failed this session.

Russia’s foreign minister on Tuesday rejected criticism from the Dutch government and the European Union about proposed legislation that would outlaw "homosexual propaganda."