MOSCOW, September 11 (RAPSI) – Russia’s State Duma Defense Committee will consider amending the federal law on alternative civilian service to allow homosexuals to opt for alternative civilian service, Izvestia newspaper writes on Thursday.

The option is currently only available to conscientious objectors and to members of small indigenous ethnic groups.

Defense Committee member Igor Zotov said the amendment would make life easier for gay people. He said the drafting of the bill to amend the law would be discussed at the next meeting of the Defense Committee.

Alternative civilian service is widely used in other countries. Russia introduced it only ten years ago. Conscripts serve 12 months, while alternative civilian service lasts 21 months (18 months for civilian positions at military organizations). Those who opt for alternative service are offered organizations from the list approved by the Healthcare and Social Development Ministry, which includes several neuropsychiatric boarding schools, gerontology centers, and schools for students with special needs due to severe learning difficulties, physical disabilities or behavioral problems.