Story highlights Images of Vladimir Putin in makeup have been shared online since 2011Prison and fine among punishments for those distributing, retweeting or sharing imagesMoscow (CNN) It is now illegal in Russia to distribute any images that depict President Vladimir Putin wearing makeup and implying he is gay. Protesters have used such images of Putin to oppose Russia's anti-gay laws. They are widely known online as the "gay clown" meme -- although not all the images resemble clowns. The law, which describes homosexuality as "non-traditional sexual relations," bars the public discussion of gay rights and relationships anywhere children might hear it. It has been fiercely opposed by gay rights groups in Russia and beyond as well as by other human rights groups and the political opposition in Russia.

Source: CNN April 06, 2017 15:09 UTC