Russian Lawmaker: Russia Will Arrest Gay Athletes and Tourists at Olympic Games

The spineless International Olympic Committee has been trying to dodge having to take meaningful action - e.g., move the 2014 Winter Games to a new venue - in the face of Russia's horrific new anti-gay laws and attacks on LGBT individuals.  Part of this dodge and weave gambit has involved trying to rely on vague assurances that no gay athletes or tourists will be harassed or prosecuted.  Now, a Russian law maker, Vitaly Milonov, (pictured at right), is saying that such assurances are meaningless and that gay athletes and tourists WILL be arrested at the 2014 Games.  Here are details from Gay Star News:

A Russian lawmaker has said the ‘gay propaganda’ law will remain enforced during the Sochi Winter Olympic Games in 2014.

Vitaly Milonov, co-sponsor of the ‘non-traditional relationships’ bill, said the government cannot decide when to selectively enforce the law.

It comes as the International Olympic Committee said the Russian government had ‘assured’ them all athletes and spectators will be safe from arrest.

‘If a law has been approved by the federal legislature and signed by the president, then the government has no right to suspend it. It doesn’t have the authority.’

Milonov was the deputy responsible for the law prohibiting ‘gay propaganda’ in St Petersburg, beginning the trend that led to the nationwide ban.

 

As I said, there is an easy fix: move the venue of the games if the laws are not repealed immediately.  Otherwise, the IOC will be acting no better than it did when it allowed the 1936 Summer Games to be held in Berlin.  Putin and Russia need to be humiliated and sent a message that the civilized world does not tolerate nations that breach their international agreements.

A Russian lawmaker has said the ‘gay propaganda’ law will remain enforced during the Sochi Winter Olympic Games in 2014.
Vitaly Milonov, co-sponsor of the ‘non-traditional relationships’ bill, said the government cannot decide when to selectively enforce the law.
It comes as the International Olympic Committee said the Russian government had ‘assured’ them all athletes and spectators will be safe from arrest.
- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/russian-lawmaker-we-will-arrest-gay-athletes-tourists-olympic-games300713#sthash.IJsxs8VS.dpuf

First Tourists Arrested in Russia for "Gay Propaganda"

It is time for the International Olympic Committee to relocate the 2014 Winter Games from Russia and send a strong message to dictator Vladimir Putin.  Many seemingly refused to take seriously the harsh homophobic law recently passed in Russia that can lead to arrest and jail time for even tourists.  Three Dutch tourists have been arrested and are now awaiting a hearing.  Their apparent crime?  Working on a documentary about the plight of gays in Russia.  A strong public humiliation of Russia is needed to send a message that backward, religious bigotry will make a country off limits for sought after international events.  Here are details from Gay Star News:

Three tourists were arrested in Russia for ‘gay propaganda’ today (21 July), making them the first foreigners to be officially charged under the anti-gay law.
In Murmansk in North Russia, three Dutch citizens were detained by police.
One of those arrested is Kris van der Veen, a councillor for the left-wing green party GroenLinks in Groningen. He is also chairman of the foundation KGBT Groningen, which campaigns for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights.
It is believed Van der Veen was making a documentary about gay rights in Russia and had been asking children about their views.

One of those arrested is Kris van der Veen, who is a councillor for the left-wing green party GroenLinks in Groningen. He is also chairman of the foundation KGBT Groningen, which campaigns for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights.
Nos says the four were making a documentary about gay rights in Russia and had been questioning youngsters about their views.
The four have been released pending their court appearance and Van der Veen used Twitter to say they are being helped by the Dutch consultate.
- See more at: http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2013/07/four_dutch_nationals_arrested.php#sthash.xQee8jEf.dpuf

While the three Dutch tourists were being held in the police station, authorities said they had violated the ‘rules of stay in the territory of Russia’.
They were told they had broken the law of ‘non-traditional sexual relations’ propaganda among children, which was signed into law by President Vladimir Putin last month.
- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/first-tourists-arrested-russia-%E2%80%98gay-propaganda%E2%80%99220713#sthash.Wh79LOGP.pOADUvUb.dpuf

Three tourists were arrested in Russia for ‘gay propaganda’ today (21 July), making them the first foreigners to be officially charged under the anti-gay law.
In Murmansk in North Russia, three Dutch citizens were detained by police.
One of those arrested is Kris van der Veen, a councillor for the left-wing green party GroenLinks in Groningen. He is also chairman of the foundation KGBT Groningen, which campaigns for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights.
It is believed Van der Veen was making a documentary about gay rights in Russia and had been asking children about their views.

One of those arrested is Kris van der Veen, who is a councillor for the left-wing green party GroenLinks in Groningen. He is also chairman of the foundation KGBT Groningen, which campaigns for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights.
Nos says the four were making a documentary about gay rights in Russia and had been questioning youngsters about their views.
The four have been released pending their court appearance and Van der Veen used Twitter to say they are being helped by the Dutch consultate.
- See more at: http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2013/07/four_dutch_nationals_arrested.php#sthash.xQee8jEf.dpuf

While the three Dutch tourists were being held in the police station, authorities said they had violated the ‘rules of stay in the territory of Russia’.
- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/first-tourists-arrested-russia-%E2%80%98gay-propaganda%E2%80%99220713#sthash.Wh79LOGP.pOADUvUb.dpuf

Three tourists were arrested in Russia for ‘gay propaganda’ today (21 July), making them the first foreigners to be officially charged under the anti-gay law.

In Murmansk in North Russia, three Dutch citizens were detained by police.  One of those arrested is Kris van der Veen, a councillor for the left-wing green party GroenLinks in Groningen. He is also chairman of the foundation KGBT Groningen, which campaigns for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights.

It is believed Van der Veen was making a documentary about gay rights in Russia and had been asking children about their views.

One of those arrested is Kris van der Veen, who is a councillor for the left-wing green party GroenLinks in Groningen. He is also chairman of the foundation KGBT Groningen, which campaigns for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights.

Nos says the four were making a documentary about gay rights in Russia and had been questioning youngsters about their views.

The four have been released pending their court appearance and Van der Veen used Twitter to say they are being helped by the Dutch consultate.

They were told they had broken the law of ‘non-traditional sexual relations’ propaganda among children, which was signed into law by President Vladimir Putin last month.

If convicted of the law, the three people could be heavily fined, held for up to 14 days in Russian prison and then deported back to the Netherlands.

 

Russian Winter Olympics To Embrace Gay Athletes Despite Anti-Gat Gag Law

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

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

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

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

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.