Pride House International launches same-sex hand-holding campaign for Sochi Olympics
International coalition of LGBT sport and human rights groups call on everyone present in Sochi to show their commitment to the Olympic value of sport for all
The campaign is simple: Pride House International is calling on everyone present in Sochi – athletes, staff, media, officials, spectators, sponsors, vendors, and fans – to take every opportunity to hold hands with a person of the same sex. In the weeks since the Russian federal anti-gay bill was passed, numerous activist groups have come forward in protest with various demands from a change of venue to a complete boycott. “The very first thing the members of the Pride House International coalition did was to ask our Russian counterparts for their leadership on our campaign,” said Lou Englefield, Director of Pride Sports UK and PHI coordinator. “Any response, no matter how well-meaning, would be inappropriate without the input of LGBT sportspeople in Russia”. Konstanin Yablotskiy from the Russian LGBT Sports Federation is part of Pride House International, and was instrumental in conceptualizing the Same-Sex Hand-Holding Initiative. As Yablotskiy explained, “Long after the 2014 Olympics, we in Russia will continue to live under this horrible law. For a few weeks we have the opportunity to bring the attention of the world to the situation in Russia. The Same-Sex Hand-Holding Initiative enables everyone to get involved with a simple yet iconic gesture. We know from gestures like Usain Bolt’s lightning stance the impact of such images that are simple, replicable, and identifiable”. “There are extreme restrictions on the uniforms and other items worn by athletes at any Olympic Games. Flags, badges, or pins are not allowed without IOC approval, a near-impossibility, and wearing something as seemingly innocuous as pink socks or shoelaces is very difficult for athletes to do, and complex to organise for other participants and spectators,” said the Federation of Gay Games’ Les Johnson. “But everyone can hold hands with their neighbour. Indeed, raising your rivals’ hands in camaraderie is an image we see on every podium at every sporting event.” Pride House International does urge anyone wanting to participate in the campaign to exercise caution. Hand-holding should happen only in public view with as many witnesses as possible, media and otherwise. Same-sex hand-holding has an Olympic tradition with the organisation: A Day in Hand hosted a same-sex hand-holding relay through London as part of London 2012′s Inspire cultural programme. Materials in support of this campaign (posters, t-shirts, pins, and web badges) will be available starting by early October on the Pride House International website at pridehouseinternational.org.
For more information and list of supporters go HERE
WESTERN GOVERNMENTS AND THE IOC ARE LOATHE TO BOYCOTT WINTER 2014 RUSSIAN OLYMPICS
SUPPORT THE RUSSIAN LGBT COMMUNITY BY BOYCOTTING THE SPONSORS!
Coca-Cola and McDonald’s are sticking with the Olympic Committee’s conciliatory line toward the host of the 2014 games in Sochi. The companies think the law contradicts the Olympic charter but, like the IOC itself, declined to call for a reversal.
Sochi Winter Olympics 2014 Official worldwide partners
Coca-Cola
McDonald's
NBC
Atos
Dow
GE
M
Omega
Panasonic
P&G
Samsung
Visa
Sochi Winter Olympics 2014 Official Partners
Avaya
Baltika
EF
Ottobock
Jet Set
Kommepcaht
Sochi Winter Olympics 2014 Official Supporters
Adecco
Arcelor Mittal
Cadbury
Cisco
Deloitte
Thomas Cook
UPS
Sochi Winter Olympics 2014 Suppliers
Adecco
Detech
Kärcher
World Class
KIOUT
Exect Business Training
Kelly Services
Microsoft
Kaspersky Lab
Contemporary International
Russian Buses – Gaz Group
Scania
Life Fitness
Parter.ru
PR agency CROS
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