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Paraguay Just Instituted A Russia-Style Ban On "Gay Propaganda"

The education minister will burn any books that spread "gender ideology."

Paraguay has banned public schools from using or spreading materials on “gender ideology,” NBC News reports.

Much like Russia’s ban on "gay propaganda" that promotes "non-traditional relationships," Paraguay's "gender ideology" ban prevents the schools from teaching an LGBT-inclusive curriculum.

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LGBT activists march in a parade demanding equal rights, on September 30, 2017 in Asuncion. / AFP PHOTO / NORBERTO DUARTE (Photo credit should read NORBERTO DUARTE/AFP/Getty Images)

"We naturally respect different options, but we’re not going to instill them in our public schools," education minister Enrique Riera told reporters at a press conference.

Riera, who says the government has a responsibility to promote "traditional families" consisting of a "father, mother, and children," has also said he will burn any books that spread "gender ideology." He believes the idea that “gender is a social construct” is problematic.

Somosgay, a Paraguayan LGBT advocacy organization, has condemned the ban, arguing that the term "gender ideology" was "invented by conservative groups to keep justifying violence and discrimination."

Norberto Duarte/AFP/Getty Images

Members of the 'Somosgay' (Wearegay) organization, take part in the gay pride parade on June 22, 2013 in Asuncion. Gay rights activists demanded the construction of a new Paraguay "without homophobia, without violence and in full freedom". AFP PHOTO / Norberto Duarte (Photo credit should read NORBERTO DUARTE/AFP/Getty Images)

The new ban defies the Montevideo Consensus, adopted by Paraguay and other Latin American nations in 2013, which requires countries to end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

"Under cover of the malicious expression ‘gender ideology,’ what is really happening here is the suppression of education about equality and discrimination, which is an international obligation of the Paraguayan state," says Amnesty International's Erika Guevara Rosas. "Excluding education on equality from the curriculum is tantamount to state promotion of violence and discrimination, with extremely grave consequence. This decision represents an extremely dangerous backward step for human rights in the country."

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People take part in a "Kissing Marathon" on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia to focus on discrimination against the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender)community, at the Plaza de Armas square in Asuncion on May 17, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / FAVIO FALCON (Photo credit should read FAVIO FALCON/AFP/Getty Images)

While same-sex sexual activity is legal in Paraguay, there is no legal recognition of same-sex couples or anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBT people.

In 2013 Paraguayan presidential hopeful Horacio Cartes, who is currently in office, was forced to apologize after saying that he would shoot himself if his son were gay.

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