Sen. Barbara Boxer Writes To Putin

“Dear President Putin: As the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign
Relations Subcommittee dedicated to the protection of human rights, I
urge you to work to repeal recent laws and policies that severely
infringe upon the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
(LGBT) individuals in Russia. These efforts—including legislation you
recently signed banning ‘homosexual propaganda’—are not only an affront
to fundamental principles of equality, but also contradict the rights
enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
to which Russia is a party. [snip]

“Furthermore, I am deeply concerned about the significant detrimental
impact of these laws on the Winter Olympic Games that Russia is
scheduled to host next year. The United States—like many other
countries—will be sending both LGBT athletes and spectators to the
Games. I firmly expect Russia to support the Charter of the Olympic
Games, which refers to sport as a human right that should be practiced
without ‘discrimination of any kind.’ Any attempt at discrimination will
be met with significant protest and will leave a dark stain on Russia’s
international image for decades to come.” – Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), in a letter published today by Buzzfeed.