Tag Archives: Vladimir Putin

The Advocate has details about yesterday’s attack. Anastasia Smirnova, the general project manager of the Interregional Social Movement Russian LGBT Network, reported on Russian queer newsgroups that two masked men with guns and baseball bats attacked a “rainbow social” at the offices of LaSky, an HIV organization for gay men, just over an hour ago. The police reportedly arrived at …

The Daily News reports: The leader of the free world is playing second fiddle to Vladimir Putin. The Russian autocrat knocked President Obama off the top spot in Forbes’ fifth annual ranking of “The World’s Most Powerful People.” Putin got the honor by outfoxing Obama by granting asylum to National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, who has been spilling U.S. …

“We are doing everything, both the organizers and our athletes and fans, so that participants and guests feel comfortable in Sochi, regardless of nationality, race or sexual orientation.” – Russian president Vladimir Putin, speaking today to Thomas Bach, the chairman of the International Olympic Committee. Gays are welcome to attend, just don’t do anything that might let somebody know that …

Source.

Via press release: “Red Flag” is a call-to-action, meant to inspire fans to stand up to people like Russian President Vladimir Putin and New Jersey governor Chris Christie (who is petitioning his state’s court to repeal their recent ruling allowing gay marriage). “We want ‘Red Flag’ to be the theme song for a movement that helps change the world for …

Clip description: “The bullying footage used in this video was all filmed and posted by the perpetrators. Under Putin’s leadership, Russia has enacted a series of anti-gay laws. A boycott of Russian vodka was called by human rights activists. This video is in support of that boycott.”

The proposed bill that would authorize the Russian government to seize the children of gay parents will be debated in February. The debate will likely coincide with the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi which have already been marred by boycott calls over Russia’s controversial new anti-gay legislation. The bill, published on the website of Russia’s Duma lower house of …

Talk about symbolism. Via the Washington Post: Russia rolled out a red carpet, on Red Square, for the Olympic flame on Sunday and another red carpet for the man who made the big bet on Russia as host for the Winter Games next year in Sochi: President Vladimir Putin. The flame, which would later choose the wrong moment to show …

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. Despite Russia’s role as the main supplier of weapons to Bashar al-Assad’s regime, an advocacy group has put the president’s name forward because the former KGB agent “actively promotes settlement of all conflicts arising on the planet.” The International Academy of Spiritual Unity and Cooperation of Peoples of …

A Russian parents’ group has demanded that Vladimir Putin cancel Elton John’s coming concerts there. In an open letter to Putin, the local parents’ group in central Ural region was reported by media as saying: “The singer intends to come out in support of local sodomites and break the current Russian law, directed at protecting children.” Critics say the law …

Elton John appeared yesterday on NPR’s Fresh Air where the interviewer asked about his coming concert in Moscow. “I’m aware of the situation and I will be diplomatic. I’m not going to go into Russia and tell [Vladimir Putin] to go to hell and things like that. That’s not the way things are done. You chip away at something, and …

Members of Queer Nation protested at yesterday’s opening night gala at New York City’s Metropolitan Opera. The New York Times reports: “Putin, end your war on Russian gays!” a man shouted in the vast auditorium, which was packed for the black-tie gala opening of Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin,” before turning to two of the evening’s Russian stars: Anna Netrebko, the popular …

Palin writes: “Thanks to my Aunt Billie in Texas for sending me her friend’s clever caption.”

Vladimir Putin today declared that Russia doesn’t discriminate against gay people. Putin on Thursday insisted the law bans only “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors.” He argues that it is “no infringement on the rights of sexual minorities.” The law has prompted calls for boycotts of the 2014 Winter Olympics hosted by Russia in Sochi. Putin says while some …

“I believe you should live according to the dictates of your conscience, not your government. I believe you deserve the opportunity to improve your lives in an economy that is built to last and benefits the many, not just the powerful few. You should be governed by a rule of law that is clear, consistently and impartially enforced and just. …

(Tipped by JMG reader Duke)

On today’s Good Morning America.