At least 20 people were arrested when a row broke out between gay rights protesters and Orthodox Christians in Moscow on Friday, as a law that would ban "homosexual propoganda" was set to receive its first reading in parliament.
Gay and lesbian couples staging a "kiss-in" outside the parliament building were pelted with rotten eggs and paint by Orthodox believers.
The law under consideration inside the Duma would ban public statements on homosexuality across Russia and threaten fines of up to 5,000 rubles (165 dollars) on individuals and 500,000 rubles (16,700 dollars) on entities such as businesses and schools.
Supports say the law is necessary in order to protect children.
If the Duma moves forward with the bill, it will be passed on to the upper house for approval and then go to President Vladimir Putin for his signature.
Russian cities, including St Petersburg and Arkhangelsk, have recently passed similar measures.
The laws have come under intense criticism from Western governments, human rights organizations and cultural figures, such as Madonna, who protested the law at a concert in St Petersburg in August.
In May, gay rights activist Nikolai Alexeyev was given the equivalent of a 130 euro fine for holding a sign on that street that read "Homophobia is illegal."
Even the display of rainbow flags, a symbol of the international gay rights movement, has been banned under local laws.
Experts warn that the measures could incite violence against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, as well as diminish awareness among the public about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Homosexuality has not been a criminal offense in Russian since 1993, but remains stigmatized in a country where the Orthodox Church still holds considerable sway. Gay rights parades are forbidden and activists have been brutally attacked.