Russia Plans To Enforce Anti-Gay Law For Athletes, Fans During Olympics

[arely staircase]

“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.”

......

Instead of a boycott of the Olympics, athletes have made individual gestures and called for gestures of protest, such as a pride parade, to be held during the games.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/russia-plans-to-enforce-anti-gay-law-for-athletes-fans-during-olympics.php?ref=fpb

[AngryOldDem]

1. I thought Russia had backed off from doing that?

Did they change their minds on this?

[arely staircase]

2. Only one way to really find out

Organize a big pride parade there. We will see.

[bunnies]

5. Gay pride parades are banned in separate legislation.

What about Gay Pride marches?

After several one-offs refusals to let them go ahead, and unsanctioned protest rallies, Moscow’s local parliament banned gay demonstrations for a 100 years in 2011, and again in 2012. They have been allowed to take place in St. Petersburg under the guise of human rights demonstrations. These have inevitably ended in bloodshed, as LGBT campaigners have been outnumbered by religious and radical right-wing counter-protesters, with police having to separate the groups. Whether Gay Pride marches should be held at all in such a febrile atmosphere has been a hotly-debated topic among Russia’s gay community.

http://rt.com/news/russia-gay-law-myths-951/

[msongs]

3. look, over there! snowden! nt

[arely staircase]

6. it's not about snowden, it is about human rights abuses. nt

[KittyWampus]

10. This would be a serious story w/o Snowden.

[arely staircase]

13. The Olympics are coming up in Russia and their authoritarian abuse of LGBT citizens

and non-citizens alike is a big story. Apparantly some think LGBT issues shouldn't be talked about if they run counter to the mythologizing of "Paul Revere."

[bunnies]

4. I just read the opposite over in LBN.

Russian 'anti-gay propaganda law' won't be enforced at Sochi 2014 Olympics
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014555384

[arely staircase]

7. conflicting statements

either way. a large pride parade needs to be planned.

[bunnies]

8. Ive read that they normally ended in bloodshed.

even before they were banned. So it might be a bit difficult to put one together.

[arely staircase]

9. maybe, but this time the whole world will be watching. nt

[bunnies]

11. True.

Personally, I think our athletes should have rainbows on their uniforms. I hope to see rainbows everywhere in Russia during the games. To hell with them and their hateful nonsense.

[dipsydoodle]

12. Gestures don't seem to go down too well at the Olympics.

[arely staircase]

14. Mexico City

smae year they massacred all those college students. crazy world.

[KamaAina]

15. Johnny Weir should so carry the U.S. flag in the opening ceremonies.

He's not only out, his husband is Russian!

[arely staircase]

16. Is he on the team. He's is getting old and decrepit (29) lol

even if he isn't, he should get an honorary place just to carry the American flag.

[AngryOldDem]

17. I think he has to earn a place on the team...

...but I saw an interview with him this morning and it sounded to me as if he wants to go.

[rl6214]

18. Yeah because Russia has no gays at all

thingy just in case it was required