Unit 7

Russia’s Anti-Gay Laws and the Olympics

In June of 2013, the international community was rocked by the passage of an anti-gay law in Russia. The law, which passed with a 436-0 vote in the State Duma, bans “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations”, which the Russian government has defined as relations “not conductive to procreation”. Anyone who provides information about the LGBT community to minors or holds a gay pride rally faces a large fine of between $150 and $31,000.

The law reflects an effort by the Russian government to promote traditional Russian values as opposed to Western liberalism. While homosexuality was decriminalized in Russia in 1993, many Russians still remain strongly homophobic. Prior to the passage of the law, dozens of Russians picketed the Duma to express their support of the law, holding Orthodox symbols and chanting prayers. Gay rights activists who attempted to hold a “kissing rally” were attacked by hundreds of Orthodox Christian activists and pro-Kremlin youth groups.

The effects of the law have already been taking place. When LGBT groups on St. Petersburg attempted to hold a gay pride parade to protest the law, police arrested dozens of protesters and stood by while anti-gay counter protesters beat and assaulted those in the pride parade. Additionally, four Dutch tourists were recently fined, deported, and banned from the country for three years for attempting to film a documentary about the law.

Obviously, this did not settle well with human rights organizations and the global community. And as Russia looks ahead to hosting this year’s Olympics, many fear that this legislation will affect the basic rights of athletes, spectators, and media.

Human rights organizations have placed pressure on the International Olympic Committee, Olympic sponsors, athletes, and governments to encourage Russia to change the law. Many opponents have even called for a boycott of the Sochi Olympics by leading Western nations. However, the International Olympic Committee has not confronted the Russian government on the issue, instead declaring that Russia was not violating any of their anti-discrimination policies.

Russia’s notoriously corrupt President Putin has also spoken on the issue in a speech to several international scholars. “We can see how many of the Euro-Atlantic countries are actually rejecting their roots, including the Christian values that constitute the basis of Western civilisation. They are denying moral principles and all traditional identities: national, cultural, religious and even sexual. They are implementing policies that equate large families with same-sex partnerships, belief in God with the belief in Satan.” He said. “One must respect every minority’s right to be different, but the rights of the majority must not be put into question.” Later, Putin went on to praise his country for its “blossoming complexity” and acceptance of all kinds of people.

The International Olympic Committee has stated that athletes and foreign visitors will not be targeted during the Sochi games. However, these individuals will likely face homophobia while in Sochi. Since the passage of the law, anti-gay violence has risen dramatically in Russia, with a recent survey determining that 15% of 900 LGBT individuals surveyed in Russia said that they had been physically attacked at least once in the past ten months. The IOC will need to be proactive with their security to ensure that no one is assaulted during the games.

The law tops off a year of tense relations between Russia and the United States. Russia gave temporary asylum to NSA leaker Edward Snowden, and Russian president Putin has also used Russia’s veto on the United Nations Security Council to block action in Syria. In response, the United States, along with Germany and France, have decided not to send top-ranking government officials to attend these Olympics. In their place, the United States has decided to send a delegation including openly gay athletes Billie Jean King, Caitlin Cahow, and Brian Boitano. President Obama sends a clear message to the Russians by sending such a diverse group to represent the United States.


https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/185cjZPnUIZ5B5E3v75UFFjeFsoyNawPSzVuE9x0uapI/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000




Associated Press. "Russian Anti-gay Bill Passes, Protesters Detained." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 13 June 2013. Web. 10 Jan. 2014. <http://www.cbsnews.com/news/russian-anti-gay-bill-passes-protesters-detained/>.




Associated Press. "Foes of Russia's Anti-gay Law Seek New Tactics." USA Today. Gannett, 17 Nov. 2013. Web. 13 Jan. 2014. <http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/11/17/foes-russia-anti-gay-law/3618657/>.




Putin, Vladmir. "President of Russia." President of Russia. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2014. <http://eng.kremlin.ru/transcripts/6007>.




Liptak, Kevin. "U.S. Delegation to Russian Olympics Includes Gay Athletes." CNN. Cable News Network, 20 Dec. 2013. Web. 12 Jan. 2014. <http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/17/sport/us-delegation-russia-olympics/>.




Volsky, Igor. "Olympic Committee Assures Gay Athletes They’ll Be Safe In Russia."ThinkProgress RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2014. <http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/07/27/2365611/olympic-committee-assures-gay-athletes-theyll-be-safe-in-russia/>.