Thread: Sochi Olympics and the Law against Gays in Russia +

OK, regardless of everyone's views on gay rights - I am trying to get to the bottom of what is going on concerning the rules and their application during the games in Sochi.

There appears to be a major disconnect between what I am seeing in Russian news sources versus what I am seeing in American news media.

Most of the Russian news stories posted this week state that the new laws will not be enforced during the Olympics in Sochi.

But most of the American stories I am reading say that the laws will be enforced.

I'm not sure where the disconnect lies. It appears that different officials in Russia are saying different things. Alexander Zhukov, head of the Russian Olympic Committee, insists that gay rights will not be "interfered with" - if I am translating this correctly - except in the case of foreigners openly "propagandizing" minors.

Жуков пообещал не ущемлять права геев в Сочи -

But according to an English-edition article from RIA Novosti, which all the American news media is sourcing, the interior minister of Russia has stated that the laws will be enforced.

Russia Confirms Anti-Gay Law Will Be Enforced at Olympics | Russia | RIA Novosti

Then there is the BBC, which I am hoping has the real story.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23674661

Is it possible to get a clear answer about this? If the laws are going to be strictly enforced, then I would support a boycott because I do not want to see athletes, spectators and journalists arrested for what might be perceived as "spreading gay propaganda."

But if the laws are going to be suspended during the games, then a boycott seems spurious to me.

Does anyone have a straight (pardon the pun) answer to this question...?

Originally Posted by Deborski

Is it possible to get a clear answer about this? If the laws are going to be strictly enforced, then I would support a boycott because I do not want to see athletes, spectators and journalists arrested for what might be perceived as "spreading gay propaganda."

I am not sure as to how the law can be enforced for non-Russian nationals and athletes. There hasn't even been a case for a Russian citizen afaik yet. As someone said earlier in the thread, the athletes are not here to spread propaganda) they are here to show their best sport results.

Originally Posted by Deborski

insists that gay rights will not be "interfered with" - if I am translating this correctly - except in the case of foreigners openly "propagandizing" minors.

Which means what, exactly? (I'm not asking you, Deborski!) The question is, what does "propagandizing homosexuality to minors" mean to the Russians responsible for enforcing the law? And does the burden of proof fall on the government prosecutor, to show that someone's speech or behavior "promotes homosexuality to minors"? Or does the burden fall on the defendant, to show that his/her speech does NOT "promote homosexuality to minors"?

Shhhh.... no one tell the Russian government that THIS is pro-homosexual propaganda:



0:14-0:20 - "You know, people like YOU were the reason I was afraid to go to school as a child..." [*wham* *bam* *whack-kick-smack*]

Apparently the clip is also of interest to heterosexual men who like to see women's feet in slow-motion... sorry I couldn't find a shorter version! But, trust me, the X-Men franchise is nothing but pro-homosexual propaganda from start to finish, even though it doesn't have rainbow flags all over it...

Originally Posted by Throbert McGee

Which means what, exactly? (I'm not asking you, Deborski!) The question is, what does "propagandizing homosexuality to minors" mean to the Russians responsible for enforcing the law? And does the burden of proof fall on the government prosecutor, to show that someone's speech or behavior "promotes homosexuality to minors"? Or does the burden fall on the defendant, to show that his/her speech does NOT "promote homosexuality to minors"?

That is exactly my concern. The law is ambiguous at best. Just about anything could be construed as "gay propaganda." For example, I have lots of rainbow colored jewelry - not at all connected to the gay rights movement - but if I wore it in Russia, or if I wore anything multicolored, or if my husband wore his rainbow suspenders, what would happen? If I'm having a few drinks in a pub and I mention that my husband's uncle is gay, is that "propaganda"?

I have no idea. The law is utterly ambiguous and open to anyone's interpretation, I think.