Vladimir say:
You can't be openly gay in Russia you have to stay indoors and tone it down like me!
In Russia it is now illegal to even speak about homosexuality around minors, much less openly display gay pride. Technically the ban is against "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" around minors, but the implication for openly gay individuals is clear. Public displays of affection by gays, including holding hands or displaying symbols like a rainbow flag, are now banned. Violators face steep fines and jail time; foreigners face similar penalties plus deportation. So what will happen to openly gay athletes and fans, as well as any vocal supporters or protestors, when Russia hosts the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi?
Confidential_CC: Should Olympians Fear Russia's Anti-Gay Laws?
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Below: Sir Ian McKellen is prepared to support gay Russians in their fight against oppression.
Below: Australian-born activist, Peter Tatchell and the London LGBT community have been conducting protests to support LGBT Russians.
Below: Canadian businesses and companies have refused to stock Russian produce in an effort to support the LGBT community in Russia.
Below: Actor, Stephen Fry has been proactive in meeting with Russian lawmaker Vitaly Milonov at the city parliament in Saint Petersburg where he voiced his concerns.
Below: New York City bar owners poured bottles of Russian vodka into the streets of Manhattan in a protest against Russia's crackdown on the gay community.
Below: Actress Tilda Swinton sees Russia's LGBT hatred and raises them some whoop-ass courage.
An Olympic boycott might be one way to go or maybe the world could turn the Winter Games into the gayest games in history.
Let the Russian police, if they want, arrest every athlete, every coach from Europe, North American, Australia and other forward-looking countries -- that includes you, Uruguay, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa. The teams should march during the opening ceremonies brandishing rainbow flags, holding hands, proclaiming that every one of them supports equal rights for gay and lesbians -- in Russia and everywhere else. Make it an "I am Spartacus" moment for the world. And as for going as a tourist to the Sochi Olympics: Forget it. Russian lawmakers are making that boycott a no-brainer. Olympic sponsors NBC, Visa, Coca-Cola, Panasonic, Procter & Gamble and others also have a responsibility to push against these blatant violations of human rights. Keep in mind that Russian laws are encouraging vigilante "justice" against gays and lesbians. Police have assaulted Pride marchers and looked the other way when thugs attacked peaceful demonstrators protesting discrimination. There have been gruesome killings that authorities acknowledge were motivated by homophobia. The talk of launching an Olympic boycott is something the International Olympic Committee dreads. The IOC has naively -- or disingenuously -- claimed it received "assurances from the highest level" that Russians police won't start rounding up suspected homosexuals and their suspected sympathizers during the Games. Just imagine the sweeps of athletes, trainers and tourists, rounded up and sent to Russian prisons because they believe gays and lesbians should be treated like everyone else. And police could do just that: The country's sports minister and a close ally of Putin, the legislator Vitaly Milonov, said the law will definitely be enforced and no exception will be made. Violation of the propaganda law, which applies to Russians and foreigners, means a punishment of $3,000 in fines and up to 15 days in jail, followed by deportation, for anyone who even speaks about homosexuality. The legislation is already having an effect. Russian publications reporting on the laws already carry cringe-worthy disclaimers saying, "This article contains information not suitable for readers younger than 18 years of age, according to Russian legislation." It's easy to think the legislation is just symbolic, that it couldn't possibly be serious, certainly not regarding foreigners. But last week, police arrested four Dutch activists who had traveled to Russia to make a documentary on gay rights. And the anti-gay laws keep coming. There's the law that allows police to arrest "pro-gay" tourists; a law that labels as pornography and banned propaganda any writing or statement calling for tolerance or equality, and another law banning the adoption of Russian children by anyone in a country where there is marriage equality. There's a rumor that the next law will remove children from same-sex couples. Terrified parents have started sending their children away. Some think the witch hunt against gays shows Putin is trying to deflect attention as the economy slows down and perhaps playing defense against opposition accusations that his friends have stolen as much as $30 billion in money earmarked for the Olympics. Putin has always understood the power of propaganda and has never shied from showing himself as relentlessly macho, able to take on tigers, ride horses bare-chested or catch the biggest fish while displaying his youthful musculature. The Russian president understands the power of images. For those who want to stop, or at least slow the vicious crackdown against gays, lesbians and anyone who supports equality, that provides an opportunity to push back. The only unacceptable course of action is doing nothing.
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