Tilda Swinton Waves Gay Pride Flag in Russia

Actress Tilda Swinton is hoping a provocative photograph can affect social change in Russia.

Swinton, best known for her work in the first Chronicles of Narnia film, We Need to Talk About Kevin and Michael Clayton, posed with a rainbow flag near Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square, Moscow, near the Kremlin this week.

The flag is a symbol of gay pride.

The actress’s rep asked for others to share the photograph as they see fit, one way to bring attention to the plight of gay citizens in Russia.

Despite the decriminalisation of male homosexual acts in Russia in 1993, there have been increasing restrictions on gay rights in recent years.

Moscow’s top court has ruled that no gay pride parade may be held in the capital for 100 years, while a bill to ban the distribution of “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” to minors is currently going through parliament.