Thread: RT coverage on gay rights in Russia

I notice in the coverage of this in the international press that people and even media seems to think that this is an oppressive rule that Putin is forcing on the poor Russian people... and that regular people would love to see gay parades.

Kind of silly. If they care so much about this question, they should go to Russia, stop ten regular citizens on the street and ask people whether they want gay parades!
They'd get nine no's as far as I can tell.... and even some of the gay people themselves might not see the need and value of parades.

This story is a perfect example of media in certain countries WANTING to find be able to find a story that confirms with their agenda of portraying Russia as an oppressive dictatorship. (when in reality, this particular issue probably doesn't interest people like Putin much either way).

It's also ridiculous that they complain about this in Russia, while running a story about shopping holidays to Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the next spread. Guess what would happen if you were found out to be gay there? Prison, whipping, stoning.... How come this is not interesting, while the Russian people's desire to not have gay manifestations on their streets is such a big deal...?

Swedish press is making a big issue about the "risks" of going to the Olympic in Sochi. Meanwhile they are building a weapons factory using 3000 Swedish staff in Saudi Arabia. They'd better not be gay and found out, or they'd be stoned to death. How come Russia's harmless law is worse than this...?

In many parts of Africa, they simply kill homosexual people on the spot if they are discovered. And it's not conisdered a crime. That's another thing to write about, but since it's "just" Africa, nobody cares.

I hope everyone sees the propaganda angle, and the illogical approach to this issue.

Having a gay pride parade and propagating homosexuality to underage people is NOT a human right in any sense of the world. You can live completely fulfilling life, including as a gay person without doing these things. I just don't see the problem.

Originally Posted by Hanna

I notice in the coverage of this in the international press that people and even media seems to think that this is an oppressive rule that Putin is forcing on the poor Russian people... and that regular people would love to see gay parades.

Kind of silly. If they care so much about this question, they should go to Russia, stop ten regular citizens on the street and ask people whether they want gay parades!
They'd get nine no's as far as I can tell.... and even some of the gay people themselves might not see the need and value of parades.

This story is a perfect example of media in certain countries WANTING to find be able to find a story that confirms with their agenda of portraying Russia as an oppressive dictatorship. (when in reality, this particular issue probably doesn't interest people like Putin much either way).

It's also ridiculous that they complain about this in Russia, while running a story about shopping holidays to Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the next spread. Guess what would happen if you were found out to be gay there? Prison, whipping, stoning.... How come this is not interesting, while the Russian people's desire to not have gay manifestations on their streets is such a big deal...?

Swedish press is making a big issue about the "risks" of going to the Olympic in Sochi. Meanwhile they are building a weapons factory using 3000 Swedish staff in Saudi Arabia. They'd better not be gay and found out, or they'd be stoned to death. How come Russia's harmless law is worse than this...?

In many parts of Africa, they simply kill homosexual people on the spot if they are discovered. And it's not conisdered a crime. That's another thing to write about, but since it's "just" Africa, nobody cares.

I hope everyone sees the propaganda angle, and the illogical approach to this issue.

Having a gay pride parade and propagating homosexuality to underage people is NOT a human right in any sense of the world. You can live completely fulfilling life, including as a gay person without doing these things. I just don't see the problem.

As I said, I am not going to be pulled into an argument about gay rights in Russia.

However, I need to say that I do not personally know anyone who can afford to travel to Dubai, much less go shopping there! Dubai is only for the uber-wealthy, and America's uber-wealthy tend to be right wing conservatives who are opposed to gay rights as well as women's rights.

Russia is in the news now, because Russia recently enacted new laws, the timing of which is very unfortunate with the Olympic Games in Sochi just around the corner. A lot of people in the US are pushing for a boycott of the games specifically because of these new laws, and out of fear that gay athletes, tourists, or journalists might be arrested.

I myself am against a boycott. I think the Games are a perfect time for our gay athletes to perform with their heads held high, break stereotypes, and compete on equal ground for the gold. A boycott will only cause further deterioration of foreign relations, as well as destroy the dreams of US athletes who have trained all their lives and dream of going there. Gay or not, I think they should have the opportunity to compete!

But I should add that there is a LOT of animosity in the US towards Russia right now because of those new laws. In America, they are perceived as hateful and cruel, and Americans do not have a good opinion of Russia to begin with, so this has only intensified everyone's anger, and the media hyping it up doesn't help.

I myself am caught in the middle, because I frequently stand up for Russia when people call Russians "evil" or "cruel" or "hateful" etc, etc. But at the same time, I support gay rights, and some Russians hate me for that.

I can't win, but despite that I keep speaking my mind where I can.

Deb, I'll try to be constructive. Not meaning to confront with you, can I ask you to comment on some of my questions, please?

Originally Posted by Deborski

A lot of people in the US are pushing for a boycott of the games specifically because of these new laws, and out of fear that gay athletes, tourists, or journalists might be arrested.

What makes them think they might be arrested? I hope you have heard about the law statement (that was mentioned many times here), I mean what this law prohibits and what it does not.

You are saying "A lot of people in the US ... fear that gay athletes, tourists, or journalists might be arrested" - are those people in the US deliberately misinformed? What do you think of it? How do the local mass media interprete what is the Russian law about?

And, do you, yourself, believe the gay guests might be arrested? If yes, then why?

Originally Posted by Deborski

I myself am against a boycott. I think the Games are a perfect time for our gay athletes to perform with their heads held high, break stereotypes, and compete on equal ground for the gold. A boycott will only cause further deterioration of foreign relations, as well as destroy the dreams of US athletes who have trained all their lives and dream of going there. Gay or not, I think they should have the opportunity to compete!

Here I fully agree with you.

But there is another question to you:
How, do you think, we are supposed to know "that athlete is a gay"? Do you think a sports TV commentator would announce: "and now runs Mr N. from the United States, a gay athlete"? Is it what you mean?

This would seem as silly to me as, e.g., classifying male guests into two groups (sorry, this is a rude example, but not meaning to insult anyone - just for the sake of analogy): men who prefer urinating sitting and men who prefer urinating standing. Just imagine a commentator saying:
"Number 11 is Mr K. He is 22 years old. And yes, he likes urinating sitting".
"And number 15 is Mr. L. A famous athlete from X-land. Yes, forgot to mention it, that guy likes urinating standing!"

Can you see the analogy in my example? Do you understand why I provided it?

Originally Posted by Deborski

But at the same time, I support gay rights, and some Russians hate me for that.

I do not But here's my last question to you: What do you think their rights should be? How do you understand it? And why do you think they are oppressed in modern Russia?