Lately, Russia has received much criticism due to its anti-gay laws. One of those laws bans exposing minors to “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations.” Essentially, if a minor is in the room or can hear anyone talk about LGBT rights (even on TV), then the person who is speaking is breaking the law.
There is also another law that bans gay foreigners from adopting Russian children. This caused problems for families who were in the process of adopting Russian children while the law was put into action. Many were turned down from adopting after they had nearly completed the adoption process.
LGBT activists are preparing for what will be a very difficult time for speaking out against the laws since the 2014 Winter Olympics will take place in Sochi, Russia. There are only eleven paid gay rights activist in Russia, a country where 143 million people live.
The fact that there are only 11 paid gay rights activists in Russia doesn’t shock sophomore Ashlyn Smith who said, “That doesn’t really shock me because the world is bigoted and it hurts that the world can’t accept that love is love.”
Russians who speak out against the law face arrest and mistreatment from fellow citizens. Recently an LGBT activist was arrested in Russia for unrolling a rainbow flag, an LGBT symbol, while an Olympic torch passed through his home town. Activist Dustin Lance Black faced bomb threats when he screened his film Milk at an LGBT film festival in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Sophomore Morgan Murphy feels, “I think they should have just let them do their thing. Who cares if they support their beliefs, let them.”
Russian president Vladimir Putin has said that visitors going to the Olympics will not be harassed or mistreated because of their sexual orientation but they must follow Russian laws. Also, the International Olympic Committee is prohibiting athletes from expressing political opinions while participating in the Olympics.
Freshman Max Kaplan said, “LGBT activists should be allowed to speak out because even though it’s wrong they are still people that deserve rights, every person should have the right to say what they want. Maybe they could be punished for something else but everyone should have freedom of speech.”
Some American activist groups are trying to protest based on an Olympic rule that prohibits discrimination of any kind. They have learned from Russian activists that people who oppose gay rights often plant minors at events and meetings, so activists must check everyone’s ID beforehand.
Activists have the goal of making sure that people have the rights that they deserve, even when the Olympics is over. They will continue supporting fellow LGBT advocates in Russia and other countries.