Russia Bans Gays: Should We Boycott the Olympics?

August 12, 2013

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It seems Russian law has not been too supportive of homosexuality in the past. In fact, until 1999, homosexuality was considered a mental disorder in Russia’s list of mental illnesses. With the recent ban on ‘homosexual propaganda’, the Russian government has, in a sense, upped their game on the bashing of gay rights.

Russian gay activist being detained on June 29, 2013

Banning gay rights in Russia doesn’t just stem from one law, but have in the past been implemented in several laws from local legislatures. Back even to 2006, the law that banned the distribution of gay “propaganda” was implemented into the region of Ryazan Oblast.”Propaganda” being the talk about gay rights, or media. In 2013 with overwhelming support from the Russian federal government, a federal law has been passed banning the distribution of gay “propaganda” to minors, to the public, or through the media/ internet. This federal law in conjunction with other local laws, have banned all open gay relationships in Russia.

Therefore if you are gay, suspected of being gay, talk about gay rights, are gay and have children, become an activist for gay rights, a tourist who is gay, or talk about gay rights over any form of media, you can be detained, heavily fined, or have your children taken away. To say the least, this is an unfortunate law in Russia.

However this bash on human rights will not be ignored. Especially with Russia’s Sochi Olympic Winter Games coming up in 2014. With the mix of violence and Olympic games, this issue has grabbed international attention. Even President Obama, and Prime Minister Harper weighing in on the issue, expressing their sentiment of human rights, and hoping that President Putin will fix this controversy soon before the Olympics in 2014.

“Should we boycott the Sochi Olympic Games?”. Many seem to think so, as with the recent breach in gay rights, many are outraged and have expressed their boycott commitments, and stress others to join. Recently in many cities of the United States, a “Vodka Boycott” where gay rights activists take ‘Stolichnaya Vodka’ and pour it out onto the streets, apparently representing their “hate in a bottle”. Other commitments lie in Canada, where some have even asked their government to hold the 2014 Olympic Games in Vancouver, like they did in 2010.

Personally, these methods of boycott lead to my facepalm, and an afterthought of incompetent advocacy. “Incompetent Advocacy” being a topic I might discuss more in another post. Taking vodka and pouring it on the sidewalk does not, in my opinion, do much to help gay rights. Ironically the brand of vodka that they are pouring “Stolichnaya Vodka”, has been a long time supporter of gay rights, written in a statement;

“Stolichnaya Vodka has always been, and continues to be a fervent supporter and friend to the LGBT community.”

The LGBT Community meaning, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community.

I personally won’t boycott Olympic Games. To me it is simply a dread to deny giving attention to hard-working athletes who have prepared for these games for years. Plus, the way that the international community has responded does not seem to be affecting the Russian government. I feel that only with people with power in Russia have the power to change things, and the population that encourages them. Cynical and disappointed, I don’t feel that there are effective ways to change such a controversy within the state of the current international community. We can place international pressure through our representatives, but at the moment they seem to scared of disputing with Russia.

Athletes in the upcoming Olympic Games will not be affected by this law according to the International Olympic Committee. At least athletes are unlikely to be disturbed in their “private lives”, according to a Russian official. Families are understandably fleeing Russia as we speak, and some are seeking refuge in Vancouver, Canada. The Canadian government has not yet replied to these calls.

Russia is probably in one of their worst social situations in years, with the environment of human rights being a dim picture. Homophobia is likely to rise with punishment and law being the source.

I sincerely offer my best wishes to victims of this terrible controversy.