Tag: Sochi Olympics

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Billie Jean King: Olympic delegation may wave rainbow flags in Sochi

In an interview with CNN’s Christine Amanour, Billie Jean King indicated the US Olympic delegation might wave rainbow flags or some other tribute to the Russian LGBT community to show support:

“Maybe we should wave rainbow flags or something, I don’t know,” she said, drawing an analogy to the Black Power salute – a raised fist – given by two American athletes at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.

“As long as we’re not being malicious,” she said, “we can show our feelings.”

President Obama named the former tennis champion, who is gay, to the American delegation at the Olympics earlier this week.

“I’m very proud to go as an athlete, and as a gay woman,” she said. “I’m thrilled.”

Russia’s hosting of the Olympics has been surrounded by controversy in large measure because of a law enacted earlier this year banning gay “propaganda,” which has contributed to many gay Russians fleeing the country. “I’m not real big on boycotting,” King told Amanpour. “It has to be absolutely a last resort.”

(h/t JMG)

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President Obama to skip Olympic Games in Sochi, sends diverse delegation including openly gay athletes

President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have all declined to attend the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics, marking the first time since 2000 that the prez, First Lady, VP or a former prez won’t be involved.

The White House said Obama’s schedule will not permit him to attend the Games.

In his place, he is sending a delegation led by openly lesbian tennis champion Billie Jean King.

Via Queerty:

Among other world leaders not attending the Olympics this year are French President Francoise Hollande and German President Joachim Gauck.

In a statement, the White House claims Obama doesn’t have the time to travel to Sochi, but that the delegation ”represents the diversity that is the United States.” (Bolding is mine)

Openly gay two-time Olympic medalist in ice hockey Caitlin Cahow will also be a part of the delegation, as will former Olympic figure skater Brian Boitano.

USA Today is  calling this “the most significant delegation the United States has ever sent to an Olympic Games.”

“It’s a positive sign to see openly gay representatives in the delegation,” said Michael Cole-Schwartz, spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, 

The delegation will also include former Homeland Security secretary and current University of California President Janet Napolitano; U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul; White House Deputy Chief of Staff Rob Nabors; Deputy Secretary of State William Burns; and speed skating Olympic medalists Bonnie Blair and Eric Heiden.

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European Union commissioner to boycott Sochi Olympics over LGBT discrimination laws

Graphic via Memeograph

Yahoo News is reporting that EU commissioner Viviane Reding says she will not attend the Sochi Olympics due to discriminatory treatment of minorities (read: gay people) in Russia:

European Union commissioner Viviane Reding said she would not be attending the Sochi 2014 Olympics in February over what she said was Russia’s treatment of minorities, joining German President Joachim Gauck in an open snub to the host nation.

“I will certainly not go to Sochi as long as minorities are treated the way they are under the current Russian legislation,” Reding, EU Commissioner for Justice, Citizenship and Fundamental Rights, said in a tweet on Tuesday.

While it was unclear whether Reding had been invited or would have gone as an EU representative or a private citizen, her decision to openly oppose Russia’s recent legislation was the most vocal statement by a politician to date.

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Hudson Taylor & Andre Banks talk “Principle 6” with MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts

LGBT organizations All Out and Athlete Ally have partnered with American Apparel in the creation of Principle 6, a new line of merchandise that aims to use the Olympic committee’s very own charter language as a way for consumers to stand in solidarity with gay Russians, athletes, and visitors during the upcoming Sochi Games.

Principle 6 is a way for athletes, spectators, and global supporters to celebrate the Olympic principle of non-discrimination and call for an end to Russia’s anti-gay laws before the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Hudson Taylor of Athlete Ally and Andre Banks of All Out joined MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts to talk about the partnership and goals of the campaign.

http://www.principle6.org/

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Madonna joins HRC to fight anti-gay Russian “campaign of hate”

http://shop.hrc.org/love-conquers-hate-collection/love-conquers-hate-russian-t-shirt.html?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Madonna-body&utm_campaign=SUPPORTRUSSIA
Click image for more info to support Love Conquers Hate

Madonna LGBT equality Madonna has graciously joined thousands of others from around the world to be part of our #LoveConquersHate campaign – standing in solidarity with LGBT people in Russia. Her inspiring note is below.

At this dangerous moment in Russian history, we as advocates have a responsibility to speak up and take our hopeful message global. That’s why I’m joining HRC’s Love Conquers Hate campaign, in hopes that more and more fair-minded people around the world will stand up and fight against the Russian government’s campaign of hate.

Right now, you can send that message directly to the Russian people and provide much-needed support to LGBT advocates in Russia by purchasing the Russian-language Love Conquers Hate t-shirt. And once you have your t-shirt, share a picture of yourself wearing it on social media using #LoveConquersHate. With your help, we can make this simple message go global.

Click here for more info on the campaign from Madonna and the HRC.

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Emotional video – #LoveAlwaysWins – urges IOC to condemn Russia’s anti-gay stance

Beautifully produced and emotionally impactful, this video was directed by Mike Buonaiuto for AllOut.org

Said Andre Banks, All Out’s Executive Director and Co-Founder:

“Russia’s law makes it unclear whether public displays of affection, coming out on television by mentioning an athlete’s loved one, or even hugging your partner after winning the gold medal could result in fines or deportation. Putin would like us to think gays and lesbians are welcome during the Olympics, but no one will feel safe and welcome while this law is in place. It’s not too late. China made serious concessions ahead of Beijing to ensure the 2008 Olympic Games were consistent with international standards and Russia should not be exempt from doing the same. Russia must overturn the law before the Winter Olympics.”

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Olympic skier Bode Miller speaks out against Russia’s anti-gay laws

In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, four-time Olympian Bode Miller spoke out against Russia’s anti-gay laws on Monday at the U.S. Olympic media summit:

“I think it is absolutely embarrassing there are countries and people who are that intolerant or that ignorant.

“It’s not the first time. We have been dealing with human rights issues since there were humans.

“My main emotion when I hear and deal with situations like that is embarrassment. As a human being, I think it is embarrassing…

“There are politics in sport and athletics. They always are intertwined, even though people try to keep them separate. Asking an athlete to go somewhere and compete and be a representative of that philosophy and all the different crap that kind of goes along with it and then telling them they can’t tell them they express their views or they can’t say what they believe is pretty hypocritical and unfair.”

And he’s not only right on the LGBT issues. There is the fact that he’s pretty easy on the eyes:

Shirtless Bode Miller stands up for LGBT rights by denouncing Russia's anti-gay laws
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Johnny Wier misses deadline, not eligible to compete at Sochi Olympics

After speaking out against a proposed boycott of the upcoming Sochi Olympics in Russia, Johnny Weir has essentially disqualified himself by not registering for a qualifying event that might have gotten him to the US national competition:

Though Weir had raised the possibility of competing in Sochi in recent interviews, his decision to sit out the season and likely bring an end to his amateur career is not a surprise. He turned 29 in July, old by elite skating standards, and the sport has only gotten more demanding since the last Olympics. The top men in the world are now packing their free skates with three quads, and the time and training required to perfect those four-revolution jumps can take a toll.

His colorfulness is part of his massive appeal, and he remains one of skating’s most popular figures, particularly in Japan and Russia.

Weir was considered a long shot for the Olympic team

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Cher says “no” to Sochi Olympics over Russian anti-gay laws

The LGBT community’s diva stands with us.  Cher passes on opening the Sochi 2014 Winter Games:

“I can’t name names but my friend called who is a big oligarch over there, and asked me if I’d like to be an ambassador for the Olympics and open the show. I immediately said no. I want to know why all of this gay hate just exploded over there. He said the Russian people don’t feel the way the government does.”

Via Memeographs