Russian Anti-gay laws and violence, and the Olympic (Winter) Games.

[Moros]

It is sadly already a bit old news and I was surprised not to find a topic about this yet. But Russia who legalised LGB relationships in the '90ies has recently scrapped that law and replaced it with, what is called by journalists, draconian measures. Making outing illegal, spreading gay-propaganda illegal (this includes wearing rainbows or holding hands), adoption by same sex parents and by countries that allow same sex adoptions,... Even worse seem to be the hyped violence the LGB community currently suffers by Neo-nazi organistations (http://www.spectrumhr.org/hot-news-1...secutegayteens), who set up dates with gay boys and men that end up in being real torture sessions. Or the mass,raping of Lesbians to "convert them". All with the somewhat, but not really (http://www.spectrumhr.org/hot-news-1...nceagainstgays), secret approval of the government.

This is the same country where the Olympic (winter) games will be held shortly. In which LGB's are participating and which LGB's will be watching world wide. It reminds me a bit about the human rights debate about China when they held the olympics.

Some are asking for a boycot. Such as the always eloquent Stephen Fry (http://www.stephenfry.com/2013/08/07...n-and-the-ioc/), Which wouldn't be the only boycot, as some American bars are already scrapping Russian Wodka. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23506425).

And while The Olympic committee first guaranteed it would not be a problem during and at the games, the Russian ministers have multiple times confirmed they will enforce the law. The rule for foreigners would be at least 15 days of prison, deportation and banishment from Russia.

See also:
http://www.spectrumhr.org/hot-news-1
http://www.coe.int/t/Commissioner/So...ological_E.pdf (pre change of law)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23603870
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/02/op...y-russia-games
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...n_3676311.html
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-0...a-reports.html
http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2013/08/russian-sports-minister-says-russia-will-enforce-anti-gay-law-during-olympics/
http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2013/08/russias-interior-ministry-says-anti-gay-law-will-be-enforced-during-olympics/

(I know some website may not be seen as being from highest possible picking order, when it comes to journalism. But much of the information reached me by dutch websites, thus I quickly had to find different English sites that contained the information needed)



So what should the IOC do? What would be the best approach? And are there way or things the EU and US should do to help? I'd gladly hear you opinions as I'm, while shocked and disgusted, not really sure what the best course of action would be.