Russian homophobes counter Gay Pride rainbow with flag filter app

Thousands of Russians have added red, white and blue tints to their Facebook and Twitter profile pictures and tagged the images with the hashtags #pridetobestraight and #pridetoberussian.

The outpouring of national and heterosexual pride is an apparent response to millions of people adding rainbow colours to their pictures after the US Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage a constitutional right in all 50 states on Friday.

Oleg Chulakov, who produced the web app used by the conservatives, denies the creation was motivated by homophobia.

On his Facebook page, the graphic designer wrote: "We are not against anyone.”

But some users have added homophobic slogans to their postings.

Valya Ivanova wrote on Facebook: "Give children the rainbow back!”

Twitter user @iaosipov wrote: "Russia will remain an island of traditional society in the world”.

And the trend appears to be spreading beyond Russia, as other nationalities declaim their 'traditional' values by using similar filters and hashtags.

Using the colours of the Belarusian national flag, Ivan Pyan tweeted: "#pridetobestraight #pridetobebelorussian”.

Asem Khatib, who bizarrely appears to have used the same Russian filter app, tweeted: "#PrideToBePalestinian #Pridetobestraight”.

While Fendi wrote: "#pridetobeStraight #pridetoBeMalaysia”.

And DP Arap Singh tweeted: "For me #PrideToBeStraight and #PrideToBeKenyan”.

Mr Chulakov came up with the idea after seeing the popularity of the Pride flag filter.

He created a web app after more than 5,000 people downloaded a Photoshop tool he produced.

Russia has positioned itself as leading the fight back against the rising tide of LGBT rights in the US and Europe by championing 'traditional values'.

Politicians and state TV frequently warn of a gay menace coming from the West to corrupt innocent, heterosexual Russian children.

(independent.co.uk)