The next wave of anti-gay legislation may be on its way in Russia as lawmakers prepare to draft a bill that would make coming out as LGBT publicly a criminal offense, Newsweek reports.

SOCHI, Russia (AP) — A member of the punk group Pussy Riot said she and one of her bandmates were detained Tuesday while walking in downtown Sochi, the host city of the Winter Olympics.

At least four people were injured Sunday after a gay club in the city of Tolyatti in southernRussia was attacked, local LGBT activists said, according to a report from BuzzFeed.

Russian police have jailed six members of an anti-gay Neo-Nazi group, which aims to torture gay teens by humiliating and beating them and posting the recorded incidents online, Gay Star News reports.

A group of masked anti-LGBT activists raided a club in Moscow Friday just hours before queer, gender-bending rapper Mykki Blanco was set to perform, the Fader reports.

The head of the Russian-based anti-gay/neo-Nazi vigilante group "Occupy Pedophilia," which reportedly abused LGBT youth after luring them via social media, was sentenced Friday to five years in a Russian penal colony, according to LGBTQ Nation.

TOPEKA, Kan. - A Kansas sperm donor's battle to avoid being declared the legal father of a same-sex couple's child has some similarities to the fight for gay marriage, the man's attorney argued in court filings.

(CNN) -- Russia's "gay propaganda" law that makes it illegal to tell children about gay rights is linked to the nation's takeover of Ukraine's Crimea, Vice President Joe Biden said Saturday night.

A controversial bill that would have made it a punishable offense for men to come out as gay, bisexual or transgender has been rejected by the Russian Duma, Monday. The draft bill called for fines and arrests for offenders.

NBC’s Sochi Olympics primetime anchor, Bob Costas, pledged Tuesday that he will not ignore Russia’s anti-gay laws during his coverage of the Games, HuffPo reports.

The following statement by Brian Boitano was released via Keith Sherman & Associates Public Relations:

Michael Lucas has never shied from controversy. Whether as the preeminent gay-­?porn auteur of his generation or as an independent-­?minded social commentator and op-­ed columnist, Lucas has built a career out of breaking taboos.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Chris Pine says the U.S. should have done more in the run-up to the Sochi Olympics to protest Russia's anti-gay legislation, which he calls "clearly awful, archaic, hostile nonsense."

MOSCOW — The Russian parliament on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to an amnesty that could pardon jailed members of the punk band Pussy Riot, in what appeared to be legislation carefully tailored to send a symbolic message to the West before the showcase Winter Games.

(CNN) -- Less than two months before the world focuses on Russia for the Sochi Olympics, President Vladimir Putin is handing out "get out of jail free" cards.

The countdown to Sochi was supposed be joyous, a celebration of all things Russian and the Olympics, too.

Russia's controversial anti-gay "homosexuality propaganda" laws won't stop the 2014 breakout film "Pride" from being released in the conservative country.

Elton John said Tuesday that Vladimir Putin phoned him after the musician requested a meeting to discuss Russia's anti-gay environment - but Putin's spokesman denied the report.

Nine Democrats and one Republican in the Electoral College sent a request to James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, asking for information on the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, according to Pink News. 

NEW YORK (AP) — Entertainer-songwriter Elton John is declaring his support of the Russian people, and he says they still accept him despite that country's harsh new anti-gay law.

Sir Elton John is responding to the pranksters who punk'd him this week by posing as Russian President Vladimir Putin after the legendary musician urged the Russian despot to call him to discuss the country's controversial "homosexual propaganda law."

After Russian pranksters pulled a fast one on Sir Elton John, pretending to be Russian President Vladimir Putin in a hoax phone call, the singer said he is currently working out a date to meet the Soviet leader in order to discuss gay rights, the BBC reports.

LONDON (AP) — Elton John says Vladimir Putin has phoned him, after the musician requested a meeting to discuss Russia’s anti-gay environment.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Opponents of a northwest Arkansas city's ordinance banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity say they'll continue challenging the legality of the measure after it was ratified by voters.

As the Winter Olympics gets underway this week in Sochi, mayors from three of Florida’s most important cities have joined together to call on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and visitors.

The Olympics begin in Russia as the LGBT community is silenced and suppressed in their country.

The founder of a Russian LGBT youth website and community was fined 50,000 roubles ($850 USD) under the country's controversial "homosexual propaganda" law, the Guardian reports.

(CNN) -- Count one more world leader out of the Winter Olympics, which start February 7 in Sochi, Russia.

LONDON (AP) — A leading figure within the English Football Association says she won't go to the World Cups in Qatar and Russia because of their anti-gay laws.

MOSCOW -- A gay Russian protester was detained on Saturday for unfurling a rainbow flag during the Olympic torch relay as it passed through his hometown of Voronezh, 560 miles (910 kilometers) north of Sochi, where the games will begin Feb. 7.