LGBT
Related: About this forumGay skater Johnny Weir: I’m prepared to be arrested at Winter Olympics
By David Ferguson
Gay Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir has said that he does not plan to campaign for LGBT rights or even openly kiss his Russian-born husband at the games in Sochi, but that he is prepared to be arrested by Russian authorities. The flamboyant athlete and reality TV star told CBS News that he is uncertain whether he will even be allowed into the country to compete.
In Russia, just the sheer fact that you could be gay, you can get arrested, fined, and its a terrible thing to even think of, Weir said. Myself, even, just walking down the street, going to get Starbucks in the morning, and somebody could arrest me just because I look too gay.
Russia has found itself increasingly out of step with the rest of the world because of its regressive attitude toward LGBT people. Russian officials like St. Petersburgs Vitaly Milanov have passed laws in the country outlawing homosexual propaganda, a blanket term that means any depiction of same sex relationships that does not paint them as abhorrent and anomalous. Russian youth have engaged in a campaign of torture and murder of LGBT teens.
It is currently unclear whether Russian officials intend to prosecute LGBT athletes and Olympic personnel or whether visitors will be immune to the discriminatory laws faced by Russian citizens. Milanov insists that the laws will be enforced universally, whereas the AP reported Friday that NBC has assured issued its LGBT employees that the network will do everything in its power to keep them safe.
more
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/08/10/gay-skater-johnny-weir-im-prepared-to-be-arrested-at-winter-olympics/
shenmue
(38,503 posts)LostOne4Ever
(9,267 posts)I don't know how, or in what way...but if Russia arrests a single athlete of ours I think our government should put some sort of sanction on Russia.
We should not tolerate this crap.
cascadiance
(19,537 posts)... the moment it happens.
I know that's a big sacrifice for many athletes, but if that were to happen, it would be a big slam on Russia, and also on the Olympic committee to NEVER allow any country with laws or actions like Russia has engaged in to ever host the olympics again without a complete change of government that engaged in them.
LostOne4Ever
(9,267 posts)That sends a message to Russia and the rest of the World that bigotry will not be tolerated!
Sadly, im not an athlete so my opinion is just that at the moment
MADem
(135,425 posts)That's against the law, so they'd have to arrest every damn one of 'em.
MADem
(135,425 posts)The Russians want to intimidate some of our best athletes, I think--that's why they're playing this game.
Behind the Aegis
(53,833 posts)"Gay Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir has said that he does not plan to campaign for LGBT rights or even openly kiss his Russian-born husband at the games in Sochi, but that he is prepared to be arrested by Russian authorities."
In other words, he is not going to be himself and yet so many "allies" don't seem to understand the problem!
MNBrewer
(8,462 posts)it's the vigilantes who will beat, kidnap, torture, videotape, humiliate, murder those they perceive as homosexuals.
Behind the Aegis
(53,833 posts)It would be nice if our so-called allies remembered this, and screeched "won't SOMEBODY think of the gays!?" But, that will never happen unless it aligns with their pet cause of the day.
MNBrewer
(8,462 posts)I'm more concerned about what will be happening to normal GLBT Russians who won't have international pressure on their side, especially AFTER the games are over.
Behind the Aegis
(53,833 posts)...I am more and more convinced this is similar to the progroms launched against the Jews back in the day. They won't "round them up," but they will make their lives unbearable and dangerous! I see people yammering on about how bad other places are, and some are, but the reality is this country is going BACKWARDS, those others have been homophobic cesspools for decades.
ETA: Have we been given permission to discuss this?
JoDog
(1,353 posts)about this situation. Her first response was, "Can we get those poor people out of there? This is nothing more than a pogrom by another name. This stuff isn't supposed to be allowed to happen anymore. It's horrible. The Jewish ones know they can go to Israel, right?"
"I hope they do," I said.
William769
(55,124 posts)Sounds to me like he's going to act straight & be in the closet. Am I reading this wrong?
Behind the Aegis
(53,833 posts)Though, like me, satellites can tell he is gay, so I think that is where his real worry is. I find it very sad.
DonCoquixote
(13,615 posts)that talked about his being LGBT, I doubt he will go into any closets.
DonCoquixote
(13,615 posts)Johnny was a well established "Russophile": he speaks Russian and has Russian trainers, and praised Russian culture, not surprising as he is in a sport the Russians have a lot of influence over.. Way to crap on people helping to spread the influence of your nation's culture Vlad.
SnakeEyes
(1,407 posts)Still don't like the guy. Leave the CCCP jacket at home. Ignorant fool.