USA: OLYMPICS - LGBT rights activists condemn move by Russia to enforce a ban on gay protests during the upcoming Olympics

Record ID: 277938

  • Title: USA: OLYMPICS - LGBT rights activists condemn move by Russia to enforce a ban on gay protests during the upcoming Olympics
  • Date: 2nd August 2013
  • Summary: SOCHI, RUSSIA (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF OLYMPIC RINGS OPPOSITE AIRPORT ARRIVALS
  • Embargoed: 17th August 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa, Russian Federation
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Crime,Politics,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA3OMS9X5TFOVOJBGPJ9I8ZRYZ9
  • Story Text: Russia is attracting opposition from around the world following its ban on "gay propaganda" during the upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics.
    Foreign competitors and spectators at next year's Games will have to abide by a new Russian law which bans any form of protests, rallies or shows of support for the LGBT community during the Olympics.
    The ban has evoked heavy criticism from the West, even triggering a growing boycott of Russian vodka in the United States.
    The law states that foreigners found to have broken the law can be deported from Russia, in addition to being fined up to 100,000 roubles ($3,000) or held for up to 15 days.
    In New York, the pro-LGBT association, "All Out" says the ban is "indefensible".
    Speaking from his Manhattan office, "All Out" Executive Director and Co-founder, Andre Banks explained, "I think holding these Olympics in Sochi, with these laws, is like holding an Olympics in Johannesburg at the height of apartheid. It's going to put incredible scrutiny on the Russian government. It's going to force governments and people to speak out, and they're going to have to respond."
    "It's going to put them in a corner and force them to actually defend these laws that are really indefensible."
    The law, as well as a ban on adoptions of children by same-sex couples, are part of a more conservative course taken by President Vladimir Putin on social issues since his return to the Kremlin in May, 2012.
    Putin critics say the law is one in a string of repressive measures introduced by the former KGB spy during more than a year of his third presidential term to crack down on dissent.
    "Right now we've been building the largest petition in the world to ask the International Olympic Committee to speak out forcefully against these laws and push Russia to repeal them before the Olympics happen in February," Banks told Reuters.
    "I've heard a lot of athletes say, 'I've trained my whole life for the Olympics and I don't want to boycott to take away the opportunity for me to play the sport that I love, but at the same time I'm so ready to use that moment to walk with the rainbow flag down the streets of Sochi. I'm ready to wear my support so people all around the world know what I stand for, who I stand for and that other LGBT athletes and fans stand with them.'," Banks added.
    On the streets of Manhattan, New Yorkers stood in solidarity with gay athletes, saying Russia should change its stance.
    "I have a tremendous amount of gay friends but it doesn't even matter if I did or I didn't. It's wrong and I know it's a hard thing to say to boycott the Olympics but what else do you do in a situation like that? It's outrageous," said Amy Marks.
    "That is a violation of human rights, in my opinion. And it's being upheld in this country, gay rights are being upheld pretty much, you've seen a steady progression. It's a civil rights issue. It's a human rights issue. It might be worthy of boycott," said Tim Robert.
    Another New York resident, Samantha Milin, said: "That's not a crime. People can choose who they love and I think that it's wrong to arrest people for something they can't control. And it should be an embarrassment to Russia."
    Putin, who denies clamping down on political opponents, has made Sochi a top priority for Russia to help its image abroad by propagating it as a modern state with top-notch infrastructure.
    But the latest controversy only adds to criticism over cost overruns and accusations of widespread corruption marring the upcoming games.
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