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| Via Cheers To Sochi |
Cheers to Sochi – “The silence of our friends”
President of Uganda to sign anti-homosexuality bill into law
The president of Uganda has indicated he will sign into law a bill which makes homosexuality punishable by life in prison.
From the AP:
Ofwono Opondo, a government spokesman, said in Twitter posts Friday that President Yoweri Museveni told lawmakers that he would do that after receiving a report from “medical experts” saying “homosexuality is not genetic but a social behavior.” Opondo did not say when the signing would happen.
Museveni previously had opposed the bill, saying it’s too harsh. Homosexuality, which Museveni has called abnormal, is a crime in Uganda.
The bill, approved by parliament in December, would legalize life imprisonment for some homosexual acts.
Anti-gay Randy Thomasson says Valentine’s Day is only for heterosexuals
In this thankfully short recorded message, anti-gay Randy Thomasson tells us that although “unconstitutional judges,” “corrupt politicians,” and even “foolish voters” may say differently, Valentine’s Day is only for straight people.
Because Bible, you know…
Openly gay ski jumper at Sochi Olympics doesn’t plan to protest because “no one cares”
Openly gay veteran ski jumper, Daniela Iraschko-Stolz of Austria, says she doesn’t plan to attempt any protest of Russia’s controversial anti-gay propaganda laws at this year’s Winter Olympics because “no one cares.”
From the AP:
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to make protests here, no one cares,” she said after training Sunday. “I know Russia will go and make the right steps in the future and we should give them time.”
Iraschko-Stolz has been dominating the past two days of training runs in Sochi and is favored for the gold medal on Tuesday.
Violence and crack-down on LGBT activists already at Sochi Olympics
And so it begins.
The Russian online news site Grani reports that ten LGBT activists were arrested by Moscow police at Red Square today as they waved rainbow flags and sang the Russian national anthem.
According to text messages from the arrested Russians to a Swedish activist who was also arrested but was released first, the police beat two of the activists still in custody and threatened them with sexual assault.
A text message transcript via Buzzfeed:
Me:: “We didn’t sign anything. Are you all still there?”
Them: “Yes, in cage. They beated [sic] two of us”
Me: “Oh no, who? What can we do? Can you keep reporting? Are all of you in the same cage?”
Them: “Two queers [were beaten]. Before that they took us upstairs and said that we have to suck their cocks’ and that we have to be burned. When we said that we gonna complain. So they bring us back to cage. So we dont let them close it without paper, pen and their names. So they beat two of us and then used cuffs.”
Them: “Yes we are together. Now we are singing.”
Them: “They beated [sic] our people again – cause we asked to let our public defender come to us. They didnt give us any docs.”
All ten have now been released.
The activists say they believe police learned of the protest in advance by tapping their phones.
(via JMG)
Documentary: Dispatches – Hunted
While the PR machine in Russia is trying to put on it’s best face, Channel 4 in Britain has aired a chilling documentary detailing the violence and dehumanizing acts occurring in Russia at an unimaginable frequency to LGBT Russia citizens.
Footage includes some of the thousands of mental and physical acts of torture.
From the YouTube description:
On the eve of the Sochi Winter Olympics, Russia is officially welcoming gay athletes and spectators. But in a country where it’s thought only 1% of gay people dare to live completely openly, it appears to be a hollow gesture.
This extraordinary Dispatches documentary has gained unique access to the vigilante gangs that target gay men and women. The film depicts a country troubled by disturbing violence and distressing intimidation.
Six months after the Russian parliament unanimously passed a law to protect children from ‘non-traditional’ relationships, this film explores the terror that gay people in Russia are calling ‘hunting season’.
You can watch the full report below. It may disappear at anytime though. If you think things like this don’t really happen – watch.
Putin’s “Lookback” video on Facebook
Well, that was fast. The internet kids amaze me….
Video: Russia declares gay bashing newest Olympic sport
Via press release:
The video is the newest fundraising tactic by the Russia Freedom Fund, which aims to raise a million dollars by the end of the Olympics to support LGBT Russian activists.
The video was produced by the Fair Games Project, an Indiegogo campaign launched by filmmaker Michael Rohrbaugh.
Athlete Ally is one of the producing partners on the video as well.
Other fundraising tactics for the Russia Freedom Fund include a new national initiative called Uprising of Love: Pride House 2014, where restaurants, bars, and clubs will donate $1 of every drink sold from 9 p.m. to midnight to the fund. It takes place during tomorrow’s Opening Ceremonies.
In addition, Melissa Etheridge released a new single last week and will donate 100% of the profits to the fund.
The significance of the Russia Freedom Fund is that it’s the only way Americans can directly support LGBT Russian activists.
(via JMG)
Russia: Authorities turn blind eye to crimes against LGBT people
From Human Rights Watch:
The Russian authorities need to address a deteriorating situation of widespread and concerted abuse against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and activists, Human Rights Watch said today.
The authorities’ failure to act and some officials’ homophobic comments expose LGBT people to further harassment and violence and embolden the attackers, Human Rights Watch research found.
As the host to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, which begin on February 7 in Sochi, Russia should act in accordance with the principle of nondiscrimination, a core provision of the Olympic Charter. As a member of the Council of Europe, and party to multiple human rights treaties, it should meet its obligations to provide equal respect and protection for LGBT people.
Tim Wildmon of the AFA says he can tell who’s gay on the street
In this video, Tim Wildmon of the American Family Association says he can tell who is gay because “they walk like a girl,” which Linda Harvey blames on Hollywood.
According to Harvey, even Super Bowl commercials show men who aren’t “masculine.” But catch how she backtracks several times over herself – she starts what is clearly going to be a gross generalization, then qualifies the statement before she even finishes the sentence.
And trust me, there are MANY gay men who are not “effeminate.” And by the way – WHO CARES?
Right Wing Watch reports on the extreme rhetoric and activities of key right-wing figures and organizations by showing their views in their own words.