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.

[rvg]

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.

I don't think the IOC should do anything at all: Russians aren't stupid, they have no interest in sabotaging and de-legitimizing their very own games.

[drone]

The IOC won't do anything on their own, and neither will FIFA for 2018. For the simple reason that both organizations are incredibly corrupt and only care about money. The only way they will take action is if their bottom line is severely endangered.

[Montmorency]

the light-blues, they're worse than the Jews!

- Russia

[Ironside]

I don't think the IOC should do anything at all: Russians aren't stupid, they have no interest in sabotaging and de-legitimizing their very own games.

So they will only sabotage and de-legitimize their own law? I mean I can totally see a homosexual medal winner openly kiss as a challenge in this case.

It's already some minor rumbling about this in the WC in Athletics atm.

[rvg]

So they will only sabotage and de-legitimize their own law? I mean I can totally see a homosexual medal winner openly kiss as a challenge in this case.

It's already some minor rumbling about this in the WC in Athletics atm.

Russia is notorious for selectively applying/enforcing her laws, forgetting about existing laws, inventing laws on the fly, retroactively applying new laws, etc. It's a complete mess, but it allows the Russian state to do whatever it wants, and what it wants in this particular case is success. Both in as a host and as a participant.

[HopAlongBunny]

It's a bully play, and a power play.
For those with no interest: Not a hill to die on
For those with an interest: I spent 4 stinkin' years getting ready for this! Do I really wanna...

Putin is playing to the home crowd; really could care less.

[Ironside]

Russia is notorious for selectively applying/enforcing her laws, forgetting about existing laws, inventing laws on the fly, retroactively applying new laws, etc. It's a complete mess, but it allows the Russian state to do whatever it wants, and what it wants in this particular case is success. Both in as a host and as a participant.

The law is feeding mostly the same element that wants a Russia looking strong. They certainly won't be happy about it.

But I might be underestimate how much the Russian population accepts double messages or accepts pragmatism above rethoric.

[rvg]

The law is feeding mostly the same element that wants a Russia looking strong. They certainly won't be happy about it.

But I might be underestimate how much the Russian population accepts double messages or accepts pragmatism above rethoric.

Putin doesn't give a crap about what the Russian population thinks. This is his Olympics, so it'll go without a hitch. If that means putting an idiotic law on hold, the idiotic law will be put on hold. Not officially of course. Russia may be full of frothing sheeple, but Putin ain't one of those. At this point all he cares about is prestige, his personal prestige. Successful trouble-free Olympics == prestige.