Russia's new anti-gay legislation and gay Olympic athletes and visitors

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

is sure G20 wots its ans bankas comapanys ans nogs etc alls nice time in russia or any land join UN party

o funny is

ha

thankyou

 

[zoltanspawn]

I'm planning to attend a gay protest in front of Russian Counsel in NYC. I need some advice on what poster messages to come up with? My current idea for poster is to say "Heroin and Vodka more devastating to Russia than Gay ballerinas."

How 'bout "I'm Gay for Pussy Riot."

 

[RaKroma]

How 'bout "I'm Gay for Pussy Riot."

I like that! Come on people, give me more good ideas for posters. We are having over 100 people protesting tomorrow in front of Russian Ministry. There will be Russian media outlets too. I want strong messages.

 

[zoltanspawn]

I think short messages are good. Maybe something like:

"International Shame"

Since it's supposed to be a proud moment and all...

 

[mikey3000]

This has previously been discussed in the forum, and is a stupid boycott that will end up doing no damage for any good. If memory serves me correctly, the vodka manufacturer Stolichnaya is actually pro LGBT rights.

Actually Stolichnaya is produced and bottled in Riga, Latvia. Headquarters are in Luxembourg. Only the ingredients are Russian.

 

[dpnice]

Well according to my Google search the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs doesn't even mention the subject.

The British one does mention that the two laws have been passed but gives no advice to travellers. Though they do give the possibility of sending an e-mail for further information; which I have done.

We'll just wait and see.

 

[dpnice]

Sorry I missed this on the British website.

"Homosexuality is legal in Russia, but there is still a degree of intolerance among some sections of the population. Be careful about public displays of affection. A law banning the promotion of “non-traditional sexual relationships” recently entered into force. It is unclear how this law will be applied, but it includes tougher penalties for non-Russians."

So at least this proves they are aware of the problem, yet they are not advising gays to not travel to Russia; probably because of the uncertainty regarding the application of these new laws.

 

[rareboy]

From the article:



We'll know in a few months.

Or in about 10 days.

 

[dpnice]

Or in about 10 days.

You did take note of this didn’t you? “Be careful about public displays of affection”

 

[ElmosToe]

So at what point does the world finally admit that Putin is a wannabe psychotic dictator in waiting?
Where are the protesting Russian citizens?

This is like something out of the Twilight Zone.

 

[eastofeden]

One thing on the subject of the boycott of Stoli....Stoli Vodka has long been pro LGBT...I know because they participated in a lot of the benefits the gay bars had. We all got rid of Coors Beer once upon a time for good reason..and we got rid of Donna Summer records...but the Stoli thing is not really fair to the company.

 

[Kulindahr]

So at what point does the world finally admit that Putin is a wannabe psychotic dictator in waiting?
Where are the protesting Russian citizens?

This is like something out of the Twilight Zone.

Or the eighteenth century.

 

[rareboy]

So at what point does the world finally admit that Putin is a wannabe psychotic dictator in waiting?
Where are the protesting Russian citizens?

This is like something out of the Twilight Zone.

what do you mean ...'wannabe'?

 

[aaggii]

Do you think they´ll change their minds when they see how pretty is Putin here:

 

[gsdx]

I don't think a country as big and powerful as Russia cares about international backlashes.

He should be concerned with backlash from within:

They swear they’re not joking. A group of Russian leaders wants to ban the use of foul language on all of the country’s social media platforms and online discussion boards, saying that sites that do not comply with the new regulation would be added to a national “blacklist.”

The existing "On the Protection of Children” law already is used to censor some forms of communication. The English language Pravda site reports that State Duma Deputy Yelena Mizulina has put forth a proposal that would require swear words to be removed from a site within 24 hours — or else the site would be added to the country’s blacklist.

While the international community considers the welfare of children in Russia a serious concern, the Human Rights House says the real aim of the existing law is to silence political dissent in the country.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/side...ropose-online-ban-on-swearing--133825347.html

 

[Kulindahr]

May be. I just don't see anti-gay and anti-foul language legislations will rally the majority against Putin. He's been in power for how long? And his oppositions haven't been able to make as much as a dent in his political power.

They may need a "Second Amendment remedy".

 

[dpnice]

Here is the reply I received from the British Foreign Affaires Office after mailing them for advice. Not exceptionally helpful but I don't think they know yet how this new development will affect gay tourists. Obviously, and I don't think anyone has thought of this yet, but it is not only homosexuals who are targeted by this law. Seeing that anyone can be arrested just on "suspicion" it is very much a blanket law giving the police the right to arrest anyone they wish.

"Thank you for your e-mail.



It is of great concern that Russia has passed a law which imposes fines for the promotion of “non-traditional sexual relations”. We have repeatedly raised our concerns about the growing restrictions on LGBT freedoms in Russia, including at the 2013 UK-Russia Human Rights dialogue in May. The Prime Minister outlined our concerns about the human rights situation in Russia with President Putin during a meeting in Downing Street in June ahead of the G8 Summit.



We have updated our travel advice on Russia https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/russia to reflect the new law and to give British travellers the information they need to make their own informed decisions about travelling to Russia. We review this advice regularly and will update further as necessary.



Human rights form an important part of the UK-Russia relationship and we will continue to pay close attention to developments in this area, and take further opportunities to urge Russia to demonstrate that it is governed by the rule of law and respects human rights."

I am applying the rule that as I will be in St Petersburg for eight days I will just have to apply caution and not put myself in to any compromising situations. But it basically means that on visiting Russia any gay activities, bars, clubs or cruising will put you at risk.

"

 

[Kulindahr]

I presume this set of laws are supported by the Russian Orthodox Church. Given the Pope's recent comments, maybe he could be persuaded to rebuke their Patriarch.

 

[gsdx]

Russia doesn't seem to be looking to make friends:

(Reuters) - Canadian Olympians will march in the Vancouver Pride Parade this weekend in a display of solidarity with the gay community that would land them in jail or kicked out of next year's Sochi Olympics.

Alpine skier Mike Janyk and snowboarder Mercedes Nicoll, both members of Canada's 2006 and 2010 Olympic teams, will join thousands of marchers in the 2010 Olympic city, adding their voices to the growing outrage over Russia's anti-gay laws.

Foreign competitors and spectators at the 2014 Sochi Olympics will have to abide by a new Russian law banning "gay propaganda."

Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko said on Thursday any athletes or visitors to the Winter Olympics found breaking the law would "be held accountable".

Foreigners can be deported from Russia, in addition to being fined up to 100,000 roubles ($3,000) or held for up to 15 days.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/olympians-march-gay-parade-sochi-outrage-grows-231659827.html

 

[RaKroma]

I presume this set of laws are supported by the Russian Orthodox Church. Given the Pope's recent comments, maybe he could be persuaded to rebuke their Patriarch.

Russian Orthodox Church hates Catholics more than Jews. Good luck