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I'm amazed there are not any major calls for boycotting these Olympics and wonder whether there could be political or even financial ramifications for the political leaders that don't denounce such measures and the companies that sponsor the broadcasts the games.
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia will enforce a new law cracking down on gay rights activism when it hosts international athletes and fans during the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, the country’s sports minister said Thursday, appearing to contradict assurances to the contrary from the International Olympic Committee.
Russia’s contentious law was signed by President Vladimir Putin in late June, imposing fines on individuals accused of spreading “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” to minors, and even proposing penalties for those who express these views online or in the news media. Gay pride rallies also are banned.
“An athlete of nontraditional sexual orientation isn’t banned from coming to Sochi,” Vitaly Mutko said in an interview with R-Sport, the sports newswire of state news agency RIA Novosti. “But if he goes out into the streets and starts to propagandize, then of course he will be held accountable.”
Mutko emphasized that the law wasn’t designed to punish anyone for being gay or lesbian. But like the Russian lawmakers who authored the bill, Mutko said athletes would be punished only for propaganda, a word that remains ambiguous under the new law.
“The corresponding law doesn't forbid non-traditional orientation, but other things: propaganda, involvement of minors and the youth.”
The law specifies punishment for foreign citizens, to include fines of up to 100,000 rubles ($3,000), time in prison for up to 15 days, deportation and denial of reentry into Russia. Four Dutch citizens working on a documentary film in the northern Russian town of Murmansk were the first foreigners to be detained under the new law, although their case did not make it to court, according to RIA Novosti.
While activists and organizations supportive of gay rights have called for a ban on Russian-made products like Stolichnaya vodka in bars across North America, they have yet to find a unified response to the Sochi games.
Source
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Russia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concerns_and_controversies_at_the_2014_Winter_Olympics#Pride_House_and_LGBTQ_rights
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Just read a thing about Canada's minister of foreign affairs saying that the Olympics are irrelevant because this heinous law affects the Russians 365 days every year.
Apparently, the US, UK and Canada will try to convince Russia to change the law before the Olympics though. But I don't know what we should expect.
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in soviet russia, time moves backwards...
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I read about this a couple days ago and am still wondering how this will play out.
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I've still yet to understand exactly what they mean when they say "propagandize" in regards to this matter.
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If olympic athletes aren't allowed to propagate the olympic spirit of equal rights for everyone, then I'm having a hard time seeing how the games can be held in Russia at all, without being insanely hypocritical. This law goes against the very foundation of the olympic games. Although the law is disgusting, considering the games is in less then a year, no way they gonna change host nation by now. Also it would be too much of a political stand for IOC to change.
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On August 02 2013 06:57 {CC}StealthBlue wrote:I'm amazed there are not any major calls for boycotting these Olympics and wonder whether there could be political or even financial ramifications for the political leaders that don't denounce such measures and the companies that sponsor the broadcasts the games. Show nested quote +MOSCOW (AP) — Russia will enforce a new law cracking down on gay rights activism when it hosts international athletes and fans during the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, the country’s sports minister said Thursday, appearing to contradict assurances to the contrary from the International Olympic Committee.
Russia’s contentious law was signed by President Vladimir Putin in late June, imposing fines on individuals accused of spreading “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” to minors, and even proposing penalties for those who express these views online or in the news media. Gay pride rallies also are banned.
“An athlete of nontraditional sexual orientation isn’t banned from coming to Sochi,” Vitaly Mutko said in an interview with R-Sport, the sports newswire of state news agency RIA Novosti. “But if he goes out into the streets and starts to propagandize, then of course he will be held accountable.”
Mutko emphasized that the law wasn’t designed to punish anyone for being gay or lesbian. But like the Russian lawmakers who authored the bill, Mutko said athletes would be punished only for propaganda, a word that remains ambiguous under the new law.
“The corresponding law doesn't forbid non-traditional orientation, but other things: propaganda, involvement of minors and the youth.”
The law specifies punishment for foreign citizens, to include fines of up to 100,000 rubles ($3,000), time in prison for up to 15 days, deportation and denial of reentry into Russia. Four Dutch citizens working on a documentary film in the northern Russian town of Murmansk were the first foreigners to be detained under the new law, although their case did not make it to court, according to RIA Novosti.
While activists and organizations supportive of gay rights have called for a ban on Russian-made products like Stolichnaya vodka in bars across North America, they have yet to find a unified response to the Sochi games. Sourcehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Russiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concerns_and_controversies_at_the_2014_Winter_Olympics#Pride_House_and_LGBTQ_rights
Well, if someone bans lesbians, he should go hunting with Dick Cheney as punishment!
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I guess I can see why they would not want gay symbols represented at the Olympics...I mean if it were me, I would be really annoyed if I saw gay pride posters everywhere when I'm trying to watch the sport. But either way, I think this law has the potential to turn into a shitstorm.
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are you freaking kidding me..
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I bet Snowden is really proud of his new home country and how much more freedom from oppression he has now then he did when he lived in the United States of Big Brother.
On topic: Boycotting the olympics never has the intent it's meant to have as you're punishing the athletes that have worked for 4 years to get tot his point and it didn't get Carter anything the last time this was attempted.
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On August 02 2013 07:02 DannyJ wrote:
I've still yet to understand exactly what they mean when they say "propagandize" in regards to this matter.
That's the thing, illegalizing propaganda might sound right (I mean, propaganda is bad we've learnt in school) but basically it's illegalizing the spreading of any information that is in favour of something. For instance, pretty much everything Obama has said publicly during his presidency is propaganda that sense of the word. Sure only non hetero-sexual "propaganda" is illegalized, but it's still an insanely far-reaching restriction of the freedom of speech.
Of course, in the end it comes down to how russian courts interprets the law in relation to existing legislation, and things might not turn out as horrific as it sounds, but from my understanding a harmless statement like "homosexuality is good" would be illegal. That's disgusting.
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This is a pretty huge deal and I really hope the U.S. and possibly other nations take a stance on this. Some of our athletes will absolutely be in danger when visiting Russia; no doubt, someone will reason that "the olympics are not about politics so we shouldn't make this a big deal." What is going on in Russia is absolutely horrible, and if things continue the way they are, I would not be surprised for homosexuality to literally be illegal (as if it isn't close enough already)
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It would be funny if the athletes took this in their own hands and started running around the stadium with the LGBT flag after winning a medal... That would make my day.
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It is sad that Russia has laws like these, but tbh it has nothing to do with the Olympics. We had Olympics in Beijing i 2008 and they're arguably more backwards with womens rights, censorship etc. This is a sports event and nothing else, it is not in the Olympic committees (or the participating countries) place to push their political views on the host country. If you want to visit Russia and/or participate in their events, then you should adhere to their laws.
That being said, it is a principal thing for me, and I'd much like for everyone to be able to say and preach whatever they want.
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ehh knew someone who went to Russia as a transfer. Twas recounting a story while being in a group with a black woman in it.
Supposedly if you go to the city the racism isn't AS bad. If black, in cities people won't talk/acknowledge you. However, an old russian was walking up to the friend's group, walked to the black woman, spat on her chest, and walked off.
Russia's society is pretty bad. Not too surprised with what has been going on lately. Really doubt that this will hold and I am sure that this is all just a bluff though. I mean the potential of losing money is pretty damn high. iirc there are bars around the world trying to protest against buying russian vodka.
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I don't think Russia deserves to host the Olympics and I think they should change the location.
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Evidently Russian leadership believes in the effectiveness of homosexual propaganda to alter one's natural sexual orientation, particularly and especially children. There isn't a national celebration of homosexuality taking place in Russia either. The reality of homosexuality is treated as almost an affliction, it would seem, upon the nation. The majority of Russian people do not approve of homosexuality. The issue of "homosexual propaganda" becomes complicated when viewed as a national security issue because of the potential for foreign infiltration and rise to power via the proliferation of such propaganda in an effort to create a power base within the country. I believe this possibility is a concern for Russian intelligence and defense agencies.
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United Kingdom3482 Posts
The fact that this law was ever passed in the first place is pretty terrible. I hope the Olympics shine a light on how bad it is. Also "non-traditional sexual relations" sounds really vile and hateful.
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lol wow i keep reading these articles on how anti-gay Russia is........ if its not hurting or affecting you negativity, whats the big issue?
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Good luck with that Russia, I am sure the world community will respond well.
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EPT
