2014 Olympics

[JH4HJ]

I was talking (emailing) with a friend Down Under who was telling me that Peter's "I Go To Rio" is getting a lot of play recently because of sports finals being held in Brazil. Then we got onto the subject of the Olympics and I was stunned when I came across this bit of news.

Gay Athletes, Tourists Will Be Arrested At The Sochi Winter Olympics

On June 30, 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a provision that bans gay propaganda in the country. It allows the government to arrest or detain gay or even pro-gay tourists for two weeks before they are deported. Those who break the law may also be fined up to $30,000.

Russian lawmaker Vitaly Milonov has said that the country will arrest gay athletes and tourists at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games in 2014. The politician, a co-sponsor of the "non-traditional relationships" bill in the country, said their government should not decide when to enforce the law.

Counterpoint:

"The International Olympic Committee is clear that a sport is a human right and should be available to all regardless of race, sex, or sexual orientation," the IOC said in a statement earlier in July. "The Games themselves should be open to all, free of discrimination, and that applies to spectators, officials, media, and of course, athletes. We would oppose in the strongest terms any move that would jeopardize this principle."

Harvey Fierstein responds

Greg Louganis speaks out too

So, does that mean you could get thrown in jail, fined and deported for wearing your TBFO T-shirt in Moscow? I'm appalled.

[birchie]

Jul 31, 2013 14:29:12 GMT -5 JH4HJ said:

I was talking (emailing) with a friend Down Under who was telling me that Peter's "I Go To Rio" is getting a lot of play recently because of sports finals being held in Brazil. Then we got onto the subject of the Olympics and I was stunned when I came across this bit of news.

Gay Athletes, Tourists Will Be Arrested At The Sochi Winter Olympics

On June 30, 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a provision that bans gay propaganda in the country. It allows the government to arrest or detain gay or even pro-gay tourists for two weeks before they are deported. Those who break the law may also be fined up to $30,000.

Russian lawmaker Vitaly Milonov has said that the country will arrest gay athletes and tourists at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games in 2014. The politician, a co-sponsor of the "non-traditional relationships" bill in the country, said their government should not decide when to enforce the law.

Counterpoint:

"The International Olympic Committee is clear that a sport is a human right and should be available to all regardless of race, sex, or sexual orientation," the IOC said in a statement earlier in July. "The Games themselves should be open to all, free of discrimination, and that applies to spectators, officials, media, and of course, athletes. We would oppose in the strongest terms any move that would jeopardize this principle."

Harvey Fierstein responds

Greg Louganis speaks out too

So, does that mean you could get thrown in jail, fined and deported for wearing your TBFO T-shirt in Moscow? I'm appalled.

Thanks for posting this, Valerie. It's appalling in this day and age that a country has decided to wage war on not only gay people, but anyone who supports them in any way including the arts. Harvey has been waging his own counter war all over including every day on twitter. I follow him on twitter (@harveyfierstein) and he just provided a link (t.co/H48wUDJg2V) to a list of companies that are advertising and promoting products for the Olympics, so by contacting the companies perhaps change can be affected...as we know, the bottom line is the thing most companies care most about! I have mixed feelings about an all out boycott of the games, but mostly I think if nothing changes by the end of 2013 a boycott would be a distinct possibility.
Sue

[njr]

OMG, this is insane! Yeah, I guess if you wore your TBFO T-shirt you'd be subject to being arrested & deported!

Nancy

[chessie]

This is just unconscionable. There are athletes, trainers, and commentators who are "out." There is a need for heightened awareness which should, barring indifference, result in outrage. If one group is targeted, who's to say that more will not follow?

Harvey Fierstein is right about what happened following the 1936 Olympics. Intolerance is never acceptable.

Carol

[JH4HJ]

So, Russia is going "PC" and saying the law will not be enforced during the Olympics. I don't like that. A temporary suspension is not what's needed. If it were here, we'd say "unconstitutional" - but that won't fly in Russia of course. I do think they've opened themselves up to a lot of people who will "test" this law during the Olympics and be willing to suffer the consequences while they have a global stage. I predict lots of Rainbow Flags will be flying at these games. Good on ya.

More here.