Rep. Jerrod Nadler of New York, along with 82 other members of Congress, have sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry urging the State Department to get off its ass and do something to ensure the safety of the LGBT Russians, Olympians and spectators expected at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Russia’s anti-gay propaganda law has come under specific scrutiny since government officials acknowledged that foreigners could be subject to its enforcement. Whether Kerry will respond by banning lawmakers responsible for the law from receiving visas — as suggested by this White House petition — remains to be seen. Read the full letter below.
Dear Secretary Kerry:
We are writing to you regarding the troubling implications of a recently-enacted Russian law criminalizing actions or statements deemed to be in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. In light of the fact that the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games are scheduled to be held in Sochi, Russia, we would like to know what diplomatic measures the State Department is planning to take to ensure that American LGBT athletes, staff and spectators, and their supporters, are not arrested, detained or otherwise penalized during the Sochi Games.
The law, signed by President Vladimir Putin on June 30th, will penalize any individuals or groups found to be publicly supportive of LGBT equality. Press reports have indicated that punishable offenses would include public acknowledgment of one’s orientation, displays of affection between same-sex partners, statements in support of LGBT rights, and the use of symbols such as rainbows that are attributed to the LGBT community. Foreign nationals found to be in violation of the law could be arrested and detained for up to 15 days.
According to the Organizing Committee of XXII Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Sochi, Sochi will be host to over 40,000 athletes, volunteers, and members of the press for the duration of the Games. An additional 75,000 spectators are expected to visit Sochi daily during that time. With the Olympics only seven months away, we are deeply concerned about the impact of the new anti-LGBT law on LGBT Russians, the Olympic community and supporters of LGBT equality.
We are particularly troubled because while the newly signed law is the most recent and most extreme codification of Russia’s maltreatment of its LGBT citizens, it is also part of larger trend of anti-LGBT actions in Russia. In the last month, the Russian government also enacted a law banning foreign same-sex couples and single people from nations that have marriage equality from adopting Russian children. Hate crimes and violent attacks against the LGBT community have been reported, including the murders of two gay men earlier this year. In 2012, Moscow instituted a hundred-year ban on LGBT pride parades, a ban that was deemed illegal by the European Court of Human Rights, but which nevertheless resulted in the arrest and detention of seventeen LGBT activists for displaying rainbow flags. Russia’s record of anti-LGBT legislation and persecution pose serious concerns for the safety of LGBT Sochi Olympic participants and spectators.
On July 17th, the International Olympic Committee issued a statement, obtained by the Windy City Times, acknowledging that the newly-enacted law is contradictory to its policy of non-discrimination and pledging to “work to ensure that the Games can take place without discrimination against athletes, officials, spectators and the media.” However, the IOC recognized that it is not equipped to address the issue fully, stating “[w]ider political issues in the country are best dealt with by other international organizations more suited to this endeavor.”
We applaud the State Department’s commitment to ensuring that U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of LGBT persons abroad, and the actions your agency has already taken to communicate concerns about the overall direction on LGBT rights in Russia directly to the Russian government. In light of the importance of U.S. leadership on LGBT issues, and the quickly-approaching Sochi Games, we urge the State Department to determine the appropriate course of action to assure the safety and well being of LGBT and LGBT— supporting individuals involved in or attending the 2014 Sochi Olympics and Paralympics. We look forward to hearing from you regarding what efforts have been undertaken, especially efforts undertaken in coordination with other foreign governments, and are committed to working together with you on this issue.
For a list of Congressmen who signed the letter, click here.
2eo
Sadly the right wing proponents will already be funneling information to the police and Neo-Nazi christian groups they help fund.
This coupled with Facebook willingly handing over information on people who may cause disruption in Russia.
dwndckd
@2eo, “Sadly the right wing proponents will already be funneling information to the police and Neo-Nazi christian groups they help fund.” I think that many people give the”Right-Wing” too much credit… I was a member of the GOP for some time, but recently became a Libertarian (Tea Party) and I can assure you that this country has issues that It must deal with first—let Russia worry about its “GAY” population…America has issues that it must deal with, prior to meddling in another country’s affairs..
krystalkleer
lemme break it down for ya…
http://getoffmydress.blogspot.com/2013/08/are-you-putin-me-on.html
Redpalacebulleaglesox
We have to remember that the World Cup is in Russia in 2018 and the possibility exists for there to be gay players participating, particularly Robbie Rogers of the US. We may have to seriously reconsider the US participating in the FIFA World Cup in four years time.
alterego1980
@dwndckd: please don’t ever try and assimilate “Libertarian” into the crazy Tea Party. The tea party heads are a bunch of social lunatics and they fully accept that as part of their platform. Libertarian is about smaller government, giving people the freedom to choose their own path. The Tea party is constantly in people’s bedrooms telling them if they should sleep with someone, who they should love, how you can get your healthcare so it’s acceptable by god and Jesus. These are not things a true Libertarian is interested in regulating.
litper
@dwndckd
go to Russia you homophobic teabagger
dwndckd
@alterego1980, I see your point. We had a Libertarian meeting last night and had a few guest speakers from the Tea Party movement. The attempt is to merge both platforms so that a new identity would be born from within the GOP. The hope is to better solidify both groups…
dwndckd
@litper, “go to Russia you homophobic teabagger.” Homophobic, really? Litper, come on- if you are going to call me a name, be more creative… If not, you are not doing yourself any justice.