LGBTQ news and entertainment
Keith Olbermann opened his show on ESPN last night with a searing rant on Russia’s antigay laws, the International Olympic Committee’s response to calls for a boycott of the Winter Games in Sochi, and a recounting of hate at the 1936 Olympics.
Lawrence Hewitt has launched a petition at Change.org asking the US Olympic Team to “fly the gay pride colors at the opening ceremony in Russia.
The petition currently has over 30,000 signees.
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| Graphic via Memeographs |
After LGBT activists call on Coca-Cola to end their sponsorship of Olympics in Sochi, Russia, , Coke promises they are “engaging with the International Olympic Committee on this important matter.”
Read the full statement here.
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| Graphic via Memeographs |
Queer Nation NY announces their intention to protest Coca-Cola‘s sponsorship of the Sochi Olympics this Wednesday at Noon in Times Square, New York City.
The Coca Cola Company is sponsoring Russian government hate at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. In June, Russia enacted its anti-gay propaganda law that bans any pro-LGBT statement in public or private and on the Internet. The Russian government has made being out and proud a crime.
More info about the protest – click here.
The Russian government has “reassured” the International Olympic Committee that they will not discriminate against gay people during the Sochi Olympics. Kinda, sorta.
The IOC received a letter from Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak giving reassurances the host country will comply fully with the Olympic Charter’s provision against discrimination of any kind.
“The Russian Federation guarantees the fulfillment of its obligations before the International Olympic Committee in its entirety,” Kozak said.
However, Kozak did not back down on the issue of the new law, which penalizes anyone who distributes information aimed at persuading minors that “nontraditional” relationships are normal or attractive. The law applies equally to everyone and “cannot be regarded as discrimination based on sexual orientation,” Kozak said.
The letter still leaves open the question of what would happen to Olympic athletes or fans if they make statements or gestures that could be considered propaganda.
(via JMG)
Russia’s official state news agency confirms anti-gay laws will be enforced during Sochi Olympics:
Russia’s Interior Ministry, which controls the police force, confirmed Monday that the country’s controversial anti-gay law will be enforced during the Sochi 2014 Olympics. Confusion has reigned over how the country intends to act during the February 7-23 Winter Games after President Vladimir Putin signed legislation in June that bans the promotion of homosexuality to minors. The law enforcement agencies can have no qualms with people who harbor a nontraditional sexual orientation and do not commit such acts [to promote homosexuality to minors], do not conduct any kind of provocation and take part in the Olympics peacefully,” said an Interior Ministry statement issued on Monday.
It warned against this approach being mixed up with discrimination against gay people. “Any discussion on violating the rights of representatives of nontraditional sexual orientations, stopping them from taking part in the Olympic Games or discrimination of athletes and guests of the Olympics according to their sexual orientation is totally unfounded and contrived,” the statement added. The head of Russia’s National Olympic Committee Alexander Zhukov stated it plainly. “If a person does not put across his views in the presence of children, no measures against him can be taken,” Zhukov said. “People of nontraditional sexual orientations can take part in the competitions and all other events at the Games unhindered, without any fear for their safety whatsoever.”
Two weeks ago the IOC announced it had received “assurances” from top Russian officials that the law would be suspended during the Games.
That claim was immediately shot down by Russia’s Sports Minister.
(via JMG)
“I know that one question that’s been raised is how do we approach the Olympics. I want to just make very clear right now I do not think it’s appropriate to boycott the Olympics. We’ve got a bunch of Americans out there who are training hard, who are doing everything they can to succeed. Nobody’s more offended than me by some of the anti-gay and lesbian legislation that you’ve been seeing in Russia.
“But as I said just this week, I’ve spoken out against that, not just with respect to Russia, but a number of other countries where we continue to do work with them but we have a strong disagreement on this issue.
“And one of the things I’m really looking forward to is maybe some gay and lesbian athletes bringing home the gold or silver or bronze, which I think would go a long way in rejecting the kind of attitudes that we’re seeing there. If Russia doesn’t have gay or lesbian athletes, it will probably make their team weaker.” – President Obama, speaking yesterday at a press conference. Watch video via TPM below.
Four-time Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis has written an op-ed piece in which he strenuously objects to a boycott of the Sochi Olympics:
Boycotting sends the wrong message and will only harm the hard-working athletes set to compete in the 2014 Olympics, not the Russian government itself.
I know from personal experience. My first Olympics I won Silver at age 16, and then in 1980, at the height of my diving career, President Jimmy Carter opted to boycott the 1980 Olympics in Moscow as a method of protesting the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan. The toll on fellow athletes and me was devastating. We had trained our entire lives for that one moment.
Fortunately, I was lucky enough to continue my diving career and return to compete and win two gold medals in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles (an Olympics the Eastern Block counties boycotted) and repeat two gold medals in 1988 Olympics in Seoul. But, other athletes were not so lucky. Some of those who missed the 1980 games never had another chance to shine.
This boycott hurt the wrong people, taking a toll on prominent athletes more than the country it targeted. I’m concerned the same would be true today. There are far too many athletes for whom the 2014 Sochi Olympics represents their only chance at success. A boycott will only hurt these athletes’ careers.
Read the entire essay at PolicyMic.com
“Last week, Russia’s Sports Minister confirmed that the country intends to enforce its laws against visiting LGBT athletes, trainers and fans, meaning anyone even so much as waving a rainbow flag (and I presume many men enthusiastically watching and dramatically commenting on figure skating) would be arrested, held for weeks and then deported.Given this position, the IOC must do the right thing, protect its athletes and the fans, and move the 2014 Winter Olympics out of Russia. [snip]
“Many believe that such a call to move the Olympics out of Russia goes too far. Would this be their opinion if the law instead called for the arrest of any Jews, Roman Catholics or Muslims should they display any sign of their religion, such as a wearing a yamaka or praying while facing Mecca? Discrimination in any form is a blight upon the Winter Games, and it must not be tolerated.” – George Takei
Last night President Obama made a lengthy appearance on the Tonight Show, where Jay Leno brought up the subject of Russia’s crackdown on LGBT people.
Leno: “This seems like Germany – let’s round up the Jews, let’s round up the gays, let’s round up the…it starts with that. You round up people you don’t like. Why isn’t more of the world outraged at this?”
Obama: “I’ve been very clear that when it comes to universal rights, when it comes to people’s basic freedoms, that whether you are discriminating on the basis of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, you are violating the basic morality that should transcend every country, and I have no patience for countries that try to treat gays or lesbians or transgender persons in ways that intimidate them or are harmful to them.”
[snip]
“What’s happening in Russia is not unique. When I traveled to Africa there were some countries that are doing a lot of good things for their people, who we’re working with and helping on development issues but in some cases have persecuted gays and lesbians and it makes for some uncomfortable press conferences sometimes but one of the things that I think is very important for me to speak out on is making sure that people are treated fairly and justly because that’s what we stand for and I believe that’s not a preset that’s not just unique to America but should apply everywhere.”
When Leno asked him if it would affect the Olympics, Obama replied:
“I think Putin and Russia have a big stake in making sure that the Olympics work, and I think that they understand that for most of the countries that participate in the Olympics we wouldn’t tolerate gays and lesbians being treated differently. They are athletes. They are there to compete. If Russia wants to uphold the Olympic spirit, then every judgment should be made on the track or in the swimming pool or on the balance beam and people’s sexual orientation shouldn’t have anything to do with it.”