Tag Archives: Sochi Olympics

Putin Bans Protests During Olympics

Pink News has the story: A decree banning demonstrations and rallies has been signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, and will take place over the duration of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. The decree, signed today will block all demonstrations and rallies from taking place, will take effect for two and a half months covering the games, reports the Associated …

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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 …

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Russian Gov’t Defends Anti-Gay Law In Letter To International Olympic Committee

The Russian government has “reassured” the International Olympic Committee that they will not discriminate against gay people during the Sochi Olympics.  Except that they might. The IOC received a letter from Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak giving reassurances the host country will comply fully with the Olympic Charter’s provision against discrimination of any kind. “The Russian Federation guarantees the …

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Quote Of The Day – George Takei

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USOC Clarifies On Russia

More on this at Buzzfeed.

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Coca-Cola And McDonald’s: The Olympic Games Should Remain In Russia

In statements obtained by Pink News and Buzzfeed, Coca-Cola and McDonald’s expressed support for the LGBT community, but both corporations agree that the Olympic Games should remain in Russia. From Coca-Cola: We have long been a strong supporter of the LGBT community and have advocated for inclusion and diversity through both our policies and practices. We do not condone human …

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MOSCOW: Swedish Athlete Competes With Fingernails Painted In Rainbow Colors, Draws Condemnation From Russian Pole Vaulting World Champion

At the World Track & Field championships in Moscow, Swedish high jumper Emma Green Tregaro competed today with her fingernails painted in rainbow hues in a gesture of solidarity for the LGBT community, drawing condemnation from Russia pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva. “If we allow to promote and do all this stuff on the street, we are very afraid about our …

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HomoQuotable – John Amaechi

“Asking for a boycott is a very principled thing to do. I am with Stephen [Fry] in that the sentiment is absolutely correct – I just don’t think it’s practical – and I want to be clear…it’s a sad thing that it’s not practical because it means that people with great power have somehow lost sight of their lofty principles. …

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Web Graphic Of The Day

Via Memographs.

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Nancy Pelosi On Russia

Tipped by JMG reader Dwight)

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The Sochi Salute

Some on Twitter suggest that the “Sochi Salute” would simply be a wave that describes the arc of a rainbow. Like a car’s windshield-wipers.

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Freep This Sun-Sentinel Poll

Free Republic just linked this South Florida Sun-Sentinel poll.

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Tweet Of The Day – Flea

For those unaware, Flea is the bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

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Facebook Graphic Of The Day

As we know, those “assurances” were shot down by the Russian government, but the comparison remains striking. Source.

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Sen. Chuck Schumer: Nations Should Wave The Rainbow Flag At Sochi Olympics

Sen. Chuck Schumer upset a lot anti-gay folks yesterday, judging by the comments at The Hill. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday said he opposed boycotting the Sochi Olympic Games despite new Russian anti-gay laws, instead urging nations to wave rainbow flags during the opening ceremonies to show support for gay rights. “That’d be pretty embarrassing for [Russian President Vladimir] …

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Press Release Of The Day

Just in from Palm Springs Pride: Greater Palms Springs Pride announced today that Sochi Pride 2014 has been named the Grand Marshal of the 27th annual Pride Parade. Sochi Pride was selected to demonstrate solidarity with the LGBT community in Russia and raise awareness of the increasing anti-gay atmosphere of discrimination and harassment of the LGBT community in the Russian …

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Russian Interior Ministry Confirms: Anti-Gay Law Will Be Enforced At Olympics

Via Russia’s official state news agency: Russia’s Interior Ministry, which controls the police force, confirmed Monday that the country’s controversial anti-gay law will be enforced during the Sochi 2014 Olympics. Confusion has reigned over how the country intends to act during the February 7-23 Winter Games after President Vladimir Putin signed legislation in June that bans the promotion of homosexuality …

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Andrew Sullivan Calls On Activists To Force Their Arrests At The Sochi Olympics

“I’m not generally in favor of boycotts, but I am in favor of civil disobedience. What we have is an invitation to legitimate protest in Sochi. Unpack your rainbow flags! Get ready to be arrested! Expose the neo-fascist regime’s classic tactics to maintain popular support by demonizing an already despised and marginalized minority. Putin wants the attention of the world …

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IOC: We Might Punish Athletes Who Make Pro-Gay Demonstrations In Sochi

The International Olympic Committee has a long-standing rule about political demonstrations and they have confirmed to Gay Star News that they will likely enforce that rule at Sochi should any pro-gay protests be made by the athletes. Under rule 50 of the IOC’s charter: ‘No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, …

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HomoQuotable – Nancy Goldstein

“Think long and hard before you evoke the spectacle of Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin—thus far the model for the West’s approach to Putin—or argue that winning LGBT athletes will “show ‘em” in Sochi. In 1935—as in 2013—the International Olympics Committee was keen to pretend that sporting events could wash a clearly politicized setting of its politics, …

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