Tag: Russia

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Olympic gold medalist Matthew Mitcham calls Russian anti-gay laws “horrific”

Matthew Mitcham accepting his Olympic Gold medal

Olympian Matthew Mitcham says new Russian laws, which would see athletes at next year’s Sochi Winter Olympics jailed if they are involved in any type of gay pride activities, are “horrific”.

The Russian government has warned those who wear a rainbow pin or T-shirt or wave the gay pride flag face jail terms under laws signed off by President Vladimir Putin in June. Even gay couples holding hands is illegal.

The gold medal-winning diver from the 2008 Beijing Games said the laws were in violation of basic human rights.

“It’s really sad,” Mitcham said. “The way they are persecuting people in Russia is quite horrific.” Mitcham said Russia’s stance would hinder performances and take away the joy of the Games experience. “The Olympics is the best experience you will ever have as an athlete,” he said. “Their whole memory and experience is going to be marred by this stuff. They are going to be made to feel unacceptable, inappropriate, and it is a really awful, awful feeling.

“The Olympics are supposed to be somewhere where they can go to be relieved of that feeling.

“A place where you can compete and feel that gender and sexuality is not an issue.”

The International Olympic Committee said it had “received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games”.

However, Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly L. Mutko said Olympic athletes travelling to Russia would be expected to obey the new law.

Conflicting statements don’t make anyone feel secure.

(source)

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Travel icon Arthur Frommer warns of danger for LGBT travelers in Russia

Travel guide guru Arthur Frommer has penned a lengthy warning of Russia’s anti-gay laws, telling his readers of the oppressive laws harming LGBT folks there, and advising travelers and the tourism industry to take “appropriate action:”

Writes Frommer in a blog post:

Several gay authors of Frommer travel guides have already informed me that they will no longer risk travel to Russia as long as the “pro-gay propaganda” statute is in effect. Some among them are calling for a broader boycott of all travel to Russia by all Americans, gay or not, as a protest against this denial of human rights. They refer not only to the new legislation, but to several recent incidents of physical assaults by prejudiced young Russians against gay persons, none of which seemed to interest Russian police. And of course, officials and athletes preparing to participate in the winter Olympics are seriously concerned.

In the words of another Frommer author: “The new Russian law is extremely dangerous, borne of dark nationalism, and through its virulent ignorance, the stage is set for a witch hunt. History has shown only too clearly what can happen when a government provides for the systematic silencing and disenfranchisement of an unpopular minority”.

(h/t Towleroad)

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Sen. Jeff Merkley to introduce Senate resolution asking IOC for guarantees protecting LGBT Olympic athletes in Sochi

Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon will introduce a Senate resolution addressing possible LGBT discrimination during the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games:

The resolution will ask the IOC both to oppose the law itself and to receive a guarantee that athletes and spectators will not be discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity at the Sochi Winter Olympics, Merkley spokesman Jamal Raad said. The language is still being finalized, however, and he said the resolution will not be introduced formally until the Senate returns from its August recess.

The resolution would be the Senate’s first formal statement regarding the Russian law, which was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in June.

This comes after receiving conflicting reports from the IOC and from Russian officials on the issue.

The IOC says they have received assurances “from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games,” while Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko told R-Sport Thursday that Russia’s anti-LGBT propaganda law would remain in effect during the Sochi Olympics in February 2014.

“No one is forbidding an athlete with non-traditional sexual orientation from coming to Sochi, but if he goes onto the street and starts propagandizing it, then of course he will be held accountable,” Mutko told R-Sport.

The legislation, signed into law by Russian President Vladimir Putin this June, authorizes the 15-day jailing of foreigners and fines for both foreigners and Russians who are convicted of “promotion of non-traditional sexual relations among minors.”

(via Buzzfeed)

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Russia: Lawmaker says government cannot “suspend” anti-gay laws for the 2014 Sochi Games

Anti-gay Russian legislator Vitaly Milonov

BBC’s Russian-language service has posted a story quoting the co-sponsor of Russia’s “homosexual propaganda” bill, who says that the government does not have the power to selectively suspend enforcement during the Sochi Olympics, as was suggested they would to the International Olympic Committee last week:

St. Petersburg legislator Vitaly Milonov of the [ruling – ed.] United Russia Party has asked the government to refrain from selectively enforcing the law on “gay propaganda,” which he co-sponsored. On Friday, the International Olympic Committee informed journalists that the Russian government had assured the safety of all athletes and spectators without respect to their sexual orientation.

“I haven’t heard any comments from the government of the Russian Federation, but I know that it is acting in accordance with Russian law. And if a law has been approved by the federal legislature and signed by the president, then the government has no right to suspend it. It doesn’t have the authority,” said Milonov in an interview with Interfax. Further, during an interview with “Ekho Moskvy” the legislator claimed that the law on “defending children from propaganda of non-traditional values,” for which he lobbied, has nothing to do with “the ordinary life of adults” [whatever that means – ed.], adding that he personally doesn’t know any LGBT athletes.

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International Olympic Committee says Russian anti-gay laws won’t affect athletes & fans at Sochi Games

The International Olympic Committee has issued a statement that it has received “assurances from the highest level” of the Russian government that athletes and fans that attend the Sochi Olympic Games will not be subject to the national ban on “promoting homosexuality.”

“As a sporting organization, what we can do is to continue to work to ensure that the Games can take place without discrimination against athletes, officials, spectators and the media,” the IOC said in an emailed statement. “To that end, the IOC has received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games.”

The IOC added that “this legislation has just been passed into law, and it remains to be seen whether and how it will be implemented, particularly as regards the Games in Sochi.” While the law’s proponents argue that it is aimed at protecting children from harmful influences, critics allege that the move is part of a broader crackdown on Russia’s gay community. Russia has come under international criticism, including from the European Court of Human Rights, for its treatment of gay people.

NBC said this to Buzzfeed regarding the IOC’s statement :

“NBCUniversal strongly supports equal rights and the fair treatment for all people. The spirit of the Olympic Games is about unifying people and countries through the celebration of sport and it is our hope that spirit will prevail,” NBCUniversal senior vice president of corporate communications Cameron Blanchard told BuzzFeed Friday evening.

Geidner reports that NBC noted that the Olympics are still seven months away and that “specific coverage plans are yet to be finalized.”

(via JMG)

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HRC calls on NBC to expose anti-gay laws in Russia during Olympics

The Human Rights Campaign is calling on NBC, the official broadcaster of the Olympic Games, to call out Russia’s anti-gay policies during their telecast.  

Chad Griffin says “NBCUniversal, which has the exclusive rights to broadcast the Olympics in the United States, has a unique opportunity — and a responsibility — to expose this inhumane and unjust law to the millions of American viewers who will tune in to watch the Games.’

Read the full letter here

(via TheBackLot.com)

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Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir asks the world to NOT boycott Olympic Games in Russia

“The fact that Russia is arresting my people, and openly hating a minority and violating human rights all over the place is heartbreaking and a travesty of international proportions. I respect the LGBT community full heartedly, but I implore the world not to boycott the Olympic Games because of Russia’s stance on LGBT rights or lack thereof. I beg the gay athletes not to forget their missions and fight for a chance to dazzle the world.

“Olympics are history, and they do not represent their host, they represent the world entire. People make their own futures, and should a government or sponsor steal that future, whether it be a Russian government or American government, it is, as an athlete, the death and total demolition of a lifetime of work. Support the athletes. There isn’t a police officer or a government that, should I qualify, could keep me from competing at the Olympics.” – Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir

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An Open Letter from the CEO of Stolichnaya Vodka to the LGBT community

The CEO of Stolichnaya Vodka issued a statement today in an effort to tamp down a possible boycott of the company’s product in protest of recent anti-gay legislation in Russia:

The recent dreadful actions taken by the Russian Government limiting the rights of the LGBT community and the passionate reaction of the community have prompted me to write this letter to you.

I want to stress that Stoli firmly opposes such attitude and actions. Indeed, as a company that encourages transparency and fairness, we are upset and angry. Stolichnaya Vodka has always been, and continues to be a fervent supporter and friend to the LGBT community. We also thank the community for having adopted Stoli as their vodka of preference.

In the US, the brand’s commitment to the LGBT community has been ongoing for years. Among the best examples, I can cite the series produced by Stoli in 2006 called “Be Real: Stories from Queer America” which featured short documentaries on real life stories depicting the challenges and accomplishments of the LGBT community in the United States (http://www.logotv.com/shows/dyn/be_real_series/series.jhtml)

Stoli is very proud of its current exclusive national partnership with Gaycities.com and Queerty.com in search of the Most Original Stoli Guy. This is a fantastic program that started as a local initiative in Colorado and became a national platform. Previous national initiatives included serving as the official vodka of the Miami Gay Pride Week as well as ongoing events with focus on Pride month.

[snip]

We fully support and endorse your objectives to fight against prejudice in Russia. In the past decade, SPI has been actively advocating in favor of freedom, tolerance and openness in society, standing very passionately on the side of the LGBT community and will continue to support any effective initiative in that direction.

Sincerely yours

Val Mendeleev

Chief Executive Officer

SPI Group

(via Advocate)

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Photos: LGBT Pride march in Russia turns violent

As Buzzfeed points out, it is scary to be in Russia right now.

Take a look at just a few pics of how LGBT citizens are treating after recent anti-gay laws have been passed.  These are from the St. Petersburg Gay Pride march:

Image by Dmitry Lovetsky / AP

Image by OLGA MALTSEVA / Getty Images

Image by ALEXANDER DEMIANCHUK / Reuters

Russia is hosting the 2014 Olympic games in Sochi. What does this mean for gay athletes and spectators? Is the US Olympic Committee okay with this?

Check out many more photos at Buzzfeed to get a better scope of what is happening in Russia today.

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Dan Savage: Dump Russian Vodka over anti-gay

In his blog at The Stranger, Dan Savage urges gays and straight people to stop drinking Russian vodka as a form of boycott against the recent anti-gay laws and treatment of the LGBT community:

“If you drink a Russian Vodka like Stoli, Russian Standard, or any of the other brands listed above, switch to another brand from another country, or even a local brand from a local distillery. Stoli is the iconic Russian Vodka and it’s returning to Russian ownership in 2014. Other brands like Russian Standard should also be boycotted. Do not drink Russian vodka. Do not buy Russian vodka. Ask your bartender at your favorite bar—gay or otherwise—to DUMP STOLI and DUMP RUSSIAN VODKA.”

As to why Savage prefers supports boycotting vodka over the Winter Olympics, he points to an inspired quote from Patrick Burke, founder of the You Can Play project, on the subject:

“In 1968, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar refused to play in the Olympics as a protest against the treatment of blacks in America. The same year, Tommie Smith and John Carlos stood on a medal stand, gloved fists in the air, as a protest against the treatment of blacks in America. History remembers the athletes who showed up…. To send the strongest possible message of support to the LGBT community, we must send our athletes—those who are LGBT, those who are LGBT-supportive, those with LGBT family members or friends. Let them show that champions stand strong with their teammates and training partners. Send our openly LGBT and “publicly pro-gay” athletes and let them compete. Let them win. Show the world that there are elite LGBT athletes who are not afraid to be themselves, on and off the playing field. That the majority of the world’s finest athletes support their LGBT teammates, coaches, and opponents by treating them as equals in competition.”

Chicago’s biggest gay bar announced tonight that they are no longer selling Stoli or any other Russian products. From the Windy City Times:

Sidetrack today said that it would be removing Stolichnaya Vodka and other Russian products from their shelves. The decision comes in the wake of Russia’s implementation of oppressive anti-gay laws last month.

“I had been following the various news reports about what was going on in Russia,” said co-owner Art Johnston. “It’s hard to believe that they could carry out and enforce that kind of a law, but they did.” He added that there was no way he could in good conscience continue to serve Stolichnaya or any other Russian products at the nightclub.

It is unsafe for gay people to travel in Russia: this week four gay Dutch tourists were arrested for spreading “gay propaganda” in Russia.

(via Instinct)