So, how are things in Russia right now with the Olympics just a few days away? Really great, right?
No, of course they are not. Organized fascist mobs are still threatening and beating and shooting and raping gay people with the tacit approval of authorities. Fun times. Oh, but heaven forbid we “politicize” the Olympics. How rude of those victims to expect justice when there’s skiing to be done.
In a new video, Human Rights Watch documents some really upsetting abuses — don’t watch if you think it’ll bring up painful memories — and address the government’s failure to protect LGBT citizens. They also explain exactly what’s going on here: much of the violence can be traced back to an ex-con neo-Nazi called “The Cleaver,” who equates homosexuality with pedophelia. This isn’t an isolated attitude in Russia: Vladimir Putin made a similar comparison a few days ago.
The question a lot of tourists are asking: will it be safe to be openly gay during the games? There’s just no way to know. Going to the Olympics this year is a risky gamble that could literally kill you.
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But the question that Russian LGBTs are asking is a lot more dire: will it be safe to be only gay after the games? After all, they’ll have to keep living in Russia long after the international spotlight has turned away.
And yet still, the Olympics and their sponsors refuse to rise up against these acts. The best we’ve gotten is a little tepid disapproval, but no organized resistance. Their excuse is that the games should be about the sports, not about politics, as if it’s okay to suspend civil rights just because the Olympics are happening.
But what’s happening instead is that the Olympics have some to represent turning a blind eye to human rights abuses.
MK Ultra
And yet there are some trolls are here that suggest LGBT travel to Russia, because “like, OMg, they have nice scenery and sh!t”.
What a horrible, violent second world kleptocracy Russia is!
Joetx
The “Is 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick Dating Gay Circuit DJ Luis Perez?” article currently has 47 comments, while this one had one. Not even the troll jimbryant has weighed in on this issue.
Sad.
ZaneStuart
@Joetx:
This isn’t an easy video to watch but as someone who has experienced just a little of this type of physically aggressive homophobia it’s not just sad that there’s no comment, it’s discouraging.
Maybe some are just too stunned. I hope even more are driven to action.
Mel
@MK Ultra:
The question is – is it safe? Yes Sochi is safe.
Holding hands and kissing in public? Would you be comfortable doing EVERYWHERE in the states?
And yes the Caucasus region has nice scenery.
jimbryant
If the victim had been a Jew or a black, you can be sure that the liberal media would be up in arms about it. However, because it’s gays, the liberal media has hardly said anything.
NBC is a de-facto enabler of the bashing and killing of gays in Russia.
nichols evelyn
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MK Ultra
@Mel: Sochi is safe, safe for athletes and spectators. For gay people, not so much.
And outside of Sochi, is even worse.
Russia is anti-gay hellhole. I’m not sure why you keep trolling for violent, second world, viciously anti-gay Russia.
Cam
And this is the place that johnny Weir keeps raving about and defending.
And F-NBC for not even reporting this, and F the IOC for selling the Olympics to the highest bidder and threatening to disqualify anybody who gets political by doing something horrible like…you know, holding hands with their same sex partner.
MK Ultra
@Cam: The Olympic policy in Russia “Shut the fvck up and put a god damned smile on your faces. The cameras are watching”
Mezaien
@Mel: NO!! nothing in Russia, is safe. Have you ever been there? I did and won`t ever go there again.