Well, the Sochi Olympics are over, there were no major violent incidents involving LGBTs, and now we can all return home confident in the knowledge that everything is wonderful and perfect for gay people living in Russia.
Haha, just kidding. A bunch of hotels just blacklisted a convention for LGBT athletes just a few hours before it was supposed to start.
The Russian Open Games report that the Hilton Hotel and other venues have cancelled reservations without notice, apparently in response to pressure from antigay lawmakers. Who could have seen that coming?
The three hundred attendees from 11 countries are now left with nowhere to go. But the Open Games are regrouping and will have further information soon about their next steps.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
In the meantime, there’s a call for Paralympic President Sir Phillip Craven (his real name!) to skip the upcoming Paralympic games if the Open Games are blocked. That seems like a tough ask! But the International Paralympic Committee Code of Ethics states that members will fight any discrimination based on sexual orientation, so the least Craven can do is issue a statement or something.
Will the Paralympic Committee stand up for what’s right where the Olympic Committee failed? Time will tell.
yaoming
I would have expected this from Marriott. Aren’t they Mormon?
hyhybt
Sure, even though you say in the article that it’s apparently coming from the government and that unnamed other venues are doing it too, let’s make the headline blame one specific brand which almost surely would rather sell hotel rooms than not.
Cam
@hyhybt:
Hilton isn’t a Russian Brand.
hyhybt
@Cam: Where did I say, or even hint, that it was?
tazz602
Will someone explain to me WHY the games are even being held in Russia?? Even if decided before the law was passed – this should have been expected.
tada-no
Hilton like other western corps operating in Russia don’t want to risk losing their investments there. The Russian government can start harassing these corps at whim for not answering to their demands. IKEA in similar fashion pulled the plug on their lesbian couple commercial in Russia. Billions vs. making HRC happy is an easy decision for these CEOs.
Isn’t Barron Hilton gay?
Mezaien
As HOMOS, we got more power then anyone knows. We can take down Hilton, and make sure it`s closed down for good! if we wish so.
Geoff B
Before we all light our torches and grab our pitchforks, consider a couple things. Hilton is historically a very GLBT friendly company, I’m guessing the hotel in question (I’d bet money on it) is a franchise. Hilton is in a spot where depending on the contract may be stuck with the franchisees, for the time being (many of these contracts are very long term) or can take steps to pull their flag. I’d wait to see what the parent company has to say and what they do.