Russia's Crackdown On Gay Rights

[Kromovaracun]

As many of you will be aware, the Russian government has passed a new law banning the 'promotion' of homosexuality. The enforcement of this has effectively been a crackdown on gay rights in the country - anyone who is openly homosexual or displays any kind of pro-LGBT slogans or images is liable to arrest:

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/russia-passes-gay-gag-bill-will-become-law110613

Foreign tourists have already been arrested for breaching this law (which has already been in force in some areas of Russia for a while now): http://www.vocativ.com/07-2013/russia-arrests-four-tourists-for-spreading-gay-propaganda-to-nations-youth/

Just today, the Russian sports minister has confirmed that athletes who are gay or 'pro-gay' will be arrested at the 2014 Sochi Olympics: http://www.ibtimes.com/gay-pro-gay-athletes-tourists-will-face-arrest-sochi-2014-winter-olympics-russian-lawmaker-says

This also comes in a context of an increasing number of violent homophobic attacks in Russia, carried out by gangs and largely ignored by the police:

http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-videotaped-bullying-gays/25062657.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/12/russian-gay-man-torture_n_3263406.html

Should we initiate boycotts of Russian vodka, as many gay bars are now doing? Should we withdraw from the Winter Olympics?

[Kromovaracun]

Incidentally, there is a religious aspect to all this as well, given the ties of the Orthodox church to Putin's government. A new law against blasphemy has also been passed (and gotten much less coverage):

http://www.examiner.com/article/russia-criminalizes-blasphemy-jail-time-for-insulting-religion

[emmie]

i did read this the other day, confess that i found it very disturbing.
i doubt if withdrawing from the Olympics would carry much weight.

[sandyRoe]

Mary Whitehouse would be in her element. Didn't one of the members of her group (or was it her good self?) pursue an action in the courts against someone for blasphemous libel?
And have the Russians looked back to 'Clause 28' for inspiration?

[naomi24]

I’ve been reading about this and couldn’t help thinking that the old Communist method of restricting personal freedoms and freedom of thought – albeit now wonkily applied – is deeply imbedded in the Russian psyche. This, together with the introduction of blasphemy laws, is a dangerously backward step – and a great disappointment. I have to ask what next? So much for the Russian people’s relatively new found freedom!

[emmie]

freedom doesn't seem a word that Putin understands.

[doctordb]

Don't worry, International hero and man of principle, Ed snowden will sort them out.

[emmie]

i doubt if he wants to stay there...

[sp1814]

keyplus90

Huh?

I can't tell if your joking.

Anyway, back to the original question - Kromovaracun...I am completely torn on this one. On the one hand, my heart tells me that a massive boycott will send the right message, but my head tells me that this won't work unless it's a universal boycott and it hits more than just famous brands. It would take a massive international effort, and I don't see this happening any time soon, because when push comes to shove, I don't think enough people care.

I compare it to the patchy boycott of South Africa during the 80s. It didn't really work (apartheid wasn't dismantled because of the boycott...).

Rather than boycotting the Olympics, I believe that gay athletes and supporters should go, and they should not be afraid to kiss their partners and hold hands - and force the Russian authority's arm.

[emmie]

keyplus, what a truly appalling remark

[ChillDoubt]

How odd too that the IOC appear unwilling to make a statement on the latest situation, in a similar way to their colleagues at FIFA when concerns were raised about the Qatari government and their stance on homosexuality, after the World Cup of 2022 was awarded to that country.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jul/29/russia-war-on-gays-sochi-olympics

[ichkeria]

I don't agree with government-led boycotts but this is yet another reason why individuals should turn their back on the Sochi Olympics.