Fanning the flames of homophobia may be a good way for Vladimir Putin's government to distract the Russian public from all of the things wrong under his rule and a way to curry favor with the gay-hating modern day Pharisees in the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church who long for a return to the 19th century, but the passage of insane anti-gay laws may be about to bit Russia in the ass big time as preparations continue for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Already, Russia is facing blow back from the International Olympic Committee not to mention calls for a boycott of the Games due to the Russian Government's anti-gay policies. The further irony, of course, is that the Olympics originated in Classical Greece when homosexuality was wide spread and aristocratic youths who did not have male lovers were considered abnormal. Gay Star News looks at the rumblings coming from the International Olympic Committee. Here are some highlights:
The International Olympics Committee (IOC) has said it will embrace openly gay athletes when it travels to Russia in 2014.
After the State Duma passed the ‘non-traditional relationships propaganda’ law by a unanimous vote yesterday (11 June), there are fears of repercussions when it comes to the Sochi Olympics.
While the legislation is not law yet, it is expected to easily pass in the Russian Senate and be legal by the end of the month.
Under the new ‘homosexual propaganda’ law, tourists deemed to be ‘promoting homosexuality’ could be arrested and deported.
Speaking to Gay Star News, an IOC spokesman said they were ‘concerned’ about the bill becoming law.
‘The IOC would like to reiterate our long commitment to non-discrimination against those taking part in the Olympic Games,’ they said.
‘The IOC is an open organization and athletes of all orientations will be welcome at the Games.’
- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/russian-winter-olympics-embraces-gay-athletes-face-gay-gag-law120613#sthash.FC0esNTB.dpuf
After the State Duma passed the ‘non-traditional relationships propaganda’ law by a unanimous vote yesterday (11 June), there are fears of repercussions when it comes to the Sochi Olympics.
While the legislation is not law yet, it is expected to easily pass in the Russian Senate and be legal by the end of the month.
Under the new ‘homosexual propaganda’ law, tourists deemed to be ‘promoting homosexuality’ could be arrested and deported.
Speaking to Gay Star News, an IOC spokesman said they were ‘concerned’ about the bill becoming law.
‘The IOC would like to reiterate our long commitment to non-discrimination against those taking part in the Olympic Games,’ they said.
‘The IOC is an open organization and athletes of all orientations will be welcome at the Games.’
- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/russian-winter-olympics-embraces-gay-athletes-face-gay-gag-law120613#sthash.FC0esNTB.dpuf
The International Olympics Committee (IOC) has said it will embrace openly gay athletes when it travels to Russia in 2014.
After the State Duma passed the ‘non-traditional relationships propaganda’ law by a unanimous vote yesterday (11 June), there are fears of repercussions when it comes to the Sochi Olympics.
While the legislation is not law yet, it is expected to easily pass in the Russian Senate and be legal by the end of the month.
Under the new ‘homosexual propaganda’ law, tourists deemed to be ‘promoting homosexuality’ could be arrested and deported.
Speaking to Gay Star News, an IOC spokesman said they were ‘concerned’ about the bill becoming law.
‘The IOC would like to reiterate our long commitment to non-discrimination against those taking part in the Olympic Games,’ they said.
‘The IOC is an open organization and athletes of all orientations will be welcome at the Games.’
- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/russian-winter-olympics-embraces-gay-athletes-face-gay-gag-law120613#sthash.FC0esNTB.dpuf
After the State Duma passed the ‘non-traditional relationships propaganda’ law by a unanimous vote yesterday (11 June), there are fears of repercussions when it comes to the Sochi Olympics.
While the legislation is not law yet, it is expected to easily pass in the Russian Senate and be legal by the end of the month.
Under the new ‘homosexual propaganda’ law, tourists deemed to be ‘promoting homosexuality’ could be arrested and deported.
Speaking to Gay Star News, an IOC spokesman said they were ‘concerned’ about the bill becoming law.
‘The IOC would like to reiterate our long commitment to non-discrimination against those taking part in the Olympic Games,’ they said.
‘The IOC is an open organization and athletes of all orientations will be welcome at the Games.’
- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/russian-winter-olympics-embraces-gay-athletes-face-gay-gag-law120613#sthash.FC0esNTB.dpuf
The International Olympics Committee (IOC) has said it will embrace openly gay athletes when it travels to Russia in 2014.
After the State Duma passed the ‘non-traditional relationships propaganda’ law by a unanimous vote yesterday (11 June), there are fears of repercussions when it comes to the Sochi Olympics.
While the legislation is not law yet, it is expected to easily pass in the Russian Senate and be legal by the end of the month.
Under the new ‘homosexual propaganda’ law, tourists deemed to be ‘promoting homosexuality’ could be arrested and deported.
Speaking to Gay Star News, an IOC spokesman said they were ‘concerned’ about the bill becoming law.
‘The IOC would like to reiterate our long commitment to non-discrimination against those taking part in the Olympic Games,’ they said.
‘The IOC is an open organization and athletes of all orientations will be welcome at the Games.’
- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/russian-winter-olympics-embraces-gay-athletes-face-gay-gag-law120613#sthash.FC0esNTB.dpuf
After the State Duma passed the ‘non-traditional relationships propaganda’ law by a unanimous vote yesterday (11 June), there are fears of repercussions when it comes to the Sochi Olympics.
While the legislation is not law yet, it is expected to easily pass in the Russian Senate and be legal by the end of the month.
Under the new ‘homosexual propaganda’ law, tourists deemed to be ‘promoting homosexuality’ could be arrested and deported.
Speaking to Gay Star News, an IOC spokesman said they were ‘concerned’ about the bill becoming law.
‘The IOC would like to reiterate our long commitment to non-discrimination against those taking part in the Olympic Games,’ they said.
‘The IOC is an open organization and athletes of all orientations will be welcome at the Games.’
- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/russian-winter-olympics-embraces-gay-athletes-face-gay-gag-law120613#sthash.FC0esNTB.dpuf
The International Olympics Committee (IOC) has said it will embrace openly gay athletes when it travels to Russia in 2014.
After the State Duma passed the ‘non-traditional relationships propaganda’ law by a unanimous vote yesterday (11 June), there are fears of repercussions when it comes to the Sochi Olympics.
While the legislation is not law yet, it is expected to easily pass in the Russian Senate and be legal by the end of the month.
Under the new ‘homosexual propaganda’ law, tourists deemed to be ‘promoting homosexuality’ could be arrested and deported.
Speaking to Gay Star News, an IOC spokesman said they were ‘concerned’ about the bill becoming law.
‘The IOC would like to reiterate our long commitment to non-discrimination against those taking part in the Olympic Games,’ they said.
‘The IOC is an open organization and athletes of all orientations will be welcome at the Games.’
- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/russian-winter-olympics-embraces-gay-athletes-face-gay-gag-law120613#sthash.FC0esNTB.dpuf
After the State Duma passed the ‘non-traditional relationships propaganda’ law by a unanimous vote yesterday (11 June), there are fears of repercussions when it comes to the Sochi Olympics.
While the legislation is not law yet, it is expected to easily pass in the Russian Senate and be legal by the end of the month.
Under the new ‘homosexual propaganda’ law, tourists deemed to be ‘promoting homosexuality’ could be arrested and deported.
Speaking to Gay Star News, an IOC spokesman said they were ‘concerned’ about the bill becoming law.
‘The IOC would like to reiterate our long commitment to non-discrimination against those taking part in the Olympic Games,’ they said.
‘The IOC is an open organization and athletes of all orientations will be welcome at the Games.’
- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/russian-winter-olympics-embraces-gay-athletes-face-gay-gag-law120613#sthash.FC0esNTB.dpuf
The International Olympics Committee (IOC) has said it will embrace openly gay athletes when it travels to Russia in 2014.After the State Duma passed the ‘non-traditional relationships propaganda’ law by a unanimous vote yesterday (11 June), there are fears of repercussions when it comes to the Sochi Olympics. While the legislation is not law yet, it is expected to easily pass in the Russian Senate and be legal by the end of the month.Under the new ‘homosexual propaganda’ law, tourists deemed to be ‘promoting homosexuality’ could be arrested and deported.Speaking to Gay Star News, an IOC spokesman said they were ‘concerned’ about the bill becoming law. ‘The IOC would like to reiterate our long commitment to non-discrimination against those taking part in the Olympic Games,’ they said. ‘The IOC is an open organization and athletes of all orientations will be welcome at the Games.’
Obviously, I would like to see the games relocated to a different venue. This would send Putin and the raging homophobes in the Russian Orthodox Church a strong message: get on board with modernity and equality for all or be relegated to a the status of a boorish backwater. I don't know if the IOC has the balls to make such a move, but it would hit Putin and Russia where it counts, in the pocket book. Plus, it would constitute a major humiliation to Russia. Russia needs to get the message that if it wants to act like a bigoted backwater, then the cost will be that it doesn't get to host the Olympics and other world class events. Then the blow back could be directed at the homophobes and religious extremists who were ultimately responsible for the heinous legislation. Bigotry needs to be made to carry a high price.
No comments:
Post a Comment