What's your take on a potential boycot of the Sochi Olympics in Russia re: gay rights?

[WilliamPitt]

One take: http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9522926/gay-rights-sochi-boycott-movement

Thoughts?

[MotherPetrie]

1. Pro

[Bluenorthwest]

2. I had a hard time with this writer because of his upfront agenda to demote Harvey Fierstein

to 'iconic Broadway performer, and longtime LGBT rights activist' in advance of taking the opposite position. I knew the author was opposed to boycott because of his dismissive description of Fierstein, who is actually one of the leading playwrights of our time, winner of every major literary award the theater world has to bestow and most of them multiple times. To leave out the intellectual heft portions and do the 'iconic Broadway performer' routine is a choice to make. Woody Allen, famous stand up comic. Hillary Clinton, well known real estate attorney.
The NY Times kept it simple 'Harvey Fierstein is an actor and playwright.' That is a very good summation, lacking in bravado but also lacking in the attempt to avoid the fact that he is a man of words.
Johnny Weir's take was of interest, but I really could not even see the words of the sports guy who had to demote his opponent in advance of the argument.

[former9thward]

3. A boycott would fail.

It would be better if athletes wore some sort of emblem or armband signifying their support of gay rights. Missing an Olympics can almost be a lifetime for some athletes. They should not be penalized.

[chimpymustgo]

15. John Carlos: "if you stay home, your message stays home with you." No boycott.

From the link:

-edit-

Few remember today that there was an organized call to boycott the 1968 Games by African American athletes and their supporters. When the boycott fell apart, Lew Alcindor (Kareem!) boycotted the Games anyway. Tommie Smith and John Carlos took their protest to the medal stand. Whose political statement do we remember today?

I called John Carlos to get his thoughts on the boycott vs. protest debate.

"The bottom line is, if you stay home, your message stays home with you," he said. "If you stand for justice and equality, you have an obligation to find the biggest possible megaphone to let your feelings be known. Don't let your message be buried and don't bury yourself. To be heard is to be greater than a boycott. Had we stayed home, we'd never have been heard from again."

I pointed out to Dr. Carlos that he may be correct, but that this requires someone actually having the courage in Sochi to stand up and pay the price. You could lose your medal, get kicked out of Olympic Village, and after the spasm of media praise, find yourself a pariah in the long years ahead. He said to me, "Yes, it takes courage, but if you have a conviction that what you are doing is right, then you're going to make the right move. Someone has to sacrifice if we are going to move forward. You might be forgiven in your lifetime; you might not. But if you're in the right, your sacrifice will be appreciated."

-edit-

[corkhead]

4. I am ambivalent

On one hand, I think politics, regardless of position, has no business in the Olympics.

On the other hand, I think commercialism has already ruined them, so what difference does it make.

[cali]

5. boycott.

[geek tragedy]

6. Have the US delegation wear these in the opening ceremonies:

http://www.amazon.com/Unique-Sports-Rainbow-Wristbands-Pair/dp/B0006OJ7TU

[GiaGiovanni]

28. I like this idea

It would be nice if every nation with more liberal gay rights laws would do the same.

[forestpath]

7. Boycott.

[LWolf]

8. Pro-boycott. nt

[Newsjock]

9. I'd much rather see a gay athlete kiss his/her partner at the medal podium

And then dare the Russians to do something about it.

I expect, however, that we'll begin to see boycott calls from the anti-Snowden camp, too, which could put a gay-boycott side in an uncomfortable alliance.

[jberryhill]

10. I'd rather see something like this again:

IMHO, it's up to the athletes.

Jesse Owens:

[leftstreet]

12. + a gazillion bank bailouts and 10x the combined Walton fortune!

[one_voice]

37. I was originally for a boycott...

but this definitely!

Maybe the athletes could do something with the pride flag. That would be awesome.

[bemildred]

11. I have long since stopped caring about the Olympics.

Another media circus. I think every gay person on the planet and all their friends should boycott it. Maybe that would get the IOC to think about something besides advertising money for a change.

[Jim Lane]

13. We went to the Olympics in China, also with a repressive government.

One distinction that strikes me, though, is that Russia is at least keeping open the option of repressing our people, not just its own. If gay Olympians, or straight Olympians who express support for equality, are subject to arrest on that basis, then Russia is trying to dictate the composition of our Olympic team. That should be grounds for a boycott right there.

If Russia relents to the extent of giving the Olympians (including foreign press and spectators) a free pass on its harsh anti-gay laws, then I'd lean toward the solution that others have suggested -- participate in the Games but use the opportunity to make a strong public statement.

[petronius]

140. This is where I'm at as well - the Olympics ought to be separate from internal and

international social and political issues. I think it's perfectly reasonable to hold the games aside and participate as a celebration of sports and human achievement, while condemning - in other relevant venues - any reprehensible behaviors of the host or other nations.

In this case, however, it's Russia that has allowed the internal problem to creep into the games, refusing to guarantee the security and comfort of all participants. When the host itself abandons the Olympic spirit, so to speak, then the games quite properly should be skipped.

So it's really up to Russia to make a strong and reliable declaration in favor of human rights, I think - and absent that I'd support a boycott...

[MineralMan]

14. I pay almost no attention to the Olympics,

so I suppose I boycott them all. Who will be boycotting? Will it be the US Olympic team? Some athletes. People thinking about attending? Olympic team corporate sponsors?

I'll be skipping the Olympics, as usual.

[NoGOPZone]

16. Support it

but am not convinced it will be effective

[larkrake]

17. when in a foreign country, you obey its laws.

Athletes can be non sexual for two weeks and work toward their lifetime goal. A boycott is ridiculous for gays and snowden. Politics do not belong in the Olympics. Period.

[Bluenorthwest]

18. I will assume you have no idea about the scope and content of their laws. Because your comment

is disgustingly bigoted as well as been grounded in deep ignorance. There is no defense for this bullshit at all.

[geek tragedy]

27. of course jury voted 2-4 to keep it, but homophobia totally doesn't exist here nt

[mitchtv]

56. +1

no idea...

[BeeBee]

19. What an absolutely disgusting response. n/t

[geek tragedy]

23. Kind of like Jews could stop being religious while in Berlin 1936? nt

[Vanje]

129. Or they could wear crosses, and carry Bibles, and pretend to be Christians.

Its only 2 weeks, after all.

[geek tragedy]

26. AUTOMATED MESSAGE: Results of your alert

At Thu Aug 1, 2013, 02:09 PM you sent an alert on the following post:

when in a foreign country, you obey its laws.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3386768

REASON FOR ALERT:

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate. (See <a href="http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=aboutus#communitystandards" target="_blank">Community Standards</a>.)

YOUR COMMENTS:

"athletes can be non-sexual" in reference to GLBT persons is grossly bigoted, like telling Jesse Owens he could stop being black while in Berlin

JURY RESULTS

A randomly-selected Jury of DU members completed their review of this alert at Thu Aug 1, 2013, 02:18 PM, and voted 2-4 to LEAVE IT ALONE.

Juror #1 voted to HIDE IT and said: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: The response is disturbing, but thought-provoking. No one was attacked, not TOS were violated. If you disagree, explain why you disagree. We can't hide under the bed every time something scares us.
Juror #4 voted to HIDE IT and said: Be "non-sexual" wtf? Is that like asking straight people to not hold hands? Hide.
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: The alerter is reading a lot into it that isn't there.

[Behind the Aegis]

29. Disgusting. Did you know we are more than just about the sex?

[stevenleser]

96. 289 posts over 7 years, one of them this steaming pile. Obvious troll is obvious. nt

[Donald Ian Rankin]

36. But if those laws are evil, you can express disapproval by not going there.

Also, there are some laws sufficiently bad that breaking them as a form of political protest is justifiable.

[one_voice]

43. Bullshit!

Would you feel that way if people were being persecuted based on their gender, color of their skin, religion or some other idiotic reason?

you should be ashamed of yourself. Russia should be shamed in front of the world!

[truebrit71]

48. "politics do not belong in the olympics"? Are you kidding me?

What about Berlin? Or Mexico city, or Munich, or Moscow or LA?

And, btw, why do you suppose the Olympic organizers supplies the athletes village with THOUSANDS of condoms every time they gather? So they can be "non sexual" in strictly a non-LBGT way....???

If stupidity was an Olympic sport you'd be Michael Phelps...

[backscatter712]

50. Your bigotry is noted.

[gollygee]

94. I have a feeling if you were potentially going to be jailed for being you

you would feel differently.

[msanthrope]

95. I suppose I could just stop being gay, or Black, or Jewish, or whatever, if I was participating in

an International event for two weeks---

Huh....how would I go about doing that????

[stevenleser]

97. I can't tell you what I think of what you wrote or I will get in trouble with a jury. Let's just say

that what I would say to you would be followed by "And the horse you rode in on."

[Cha]

111. "gays and snowden"? wth does snowden have to do

with Gay people getting abused and arrested in Russia?

[hrmjustin]

120. Being gay is not politics it is who we are.

[Vanje]

128. I've been "non-sexual" for years.

But I'm still 100% Lesbian!

[NYC Liberal]

132. Hence the point of the boycott: not going to Russia.

If there were a boycott there would be no need to obey or break any laws there, since no one would be going.

This isn't about politics. It's about human rights. The Olympics are supposed to be about all nations coming together. Do you think harassing and threatening athletes for being gay belongs in the Olympics? I don't.

[totodeinhere]

137. This isn't about politics. It's about basic human rights and about the repressive

homophobic regime in Russia.

[Gravitycollapse]

147. Man, fuck that noise.

[bigtree]

20. the latest warning to gays comes from their sports minister - it's official Russia policy

. . . for all intents and purposes.

A boycott is entirely appropriate and, I think, should be a foregone conclusion for anyone who believes this is an unacceptable affront to basic human rights.

[LuvNewcastle]

21. I think we should do what gay Russians would like,

and according to the article, 23 activists have already called for a boycott. After all, they are the people suffering from those policies. I also like the idea of costing the Russians money. It would be great if they lost a lot of money over this issue. Russia will be more likely to change if it costs them a lot to keep doing what they're doing.

[hrmjustin]

22. I am for a boycott!

[n2doc]

24. Absolutely for it

Same with the world cups in Qatar and Russia coming up.

[AngryOldDem]

25. If we could boycott the 1980 Olympics over the Soviets being in Afghanistan...

...this is just as much of a valid reason (if not more so) to do it in support of human rights.

[Cali_Democrat]

30. I'd support it.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

31. If you limit the olympics to countries with good human rights records, you destroy it.

The idea of the Olympics is that it's a sporting event for the whole world.

If you don't allow countries with appalling human rights records to host it sometimes, they won't participate in it either. It will become just another international sporting event - a big one, but not world-wide - and those countries not permitted to host will probably start their own rival games.

Now, arguably that would be a good thing, or at least a price worth paying - human rights are more important than sport.

But we should be clear that, when we ask "should countries with appalling human rights records sometimes get to host the Olympics?", what we are asking is "should the Olympics cease to exist?".

[Bradical79]

44. The big difference

Is the athletes were threatened directly by the host country. I think that's as good of a reason to boycott as any.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

57. The host country, or their equivalent of Rick Santorum?

My impression is that the threat was one person - admittedly a member of the Dumas - rather than a proxy of Putin?

[randome]

117. Yes. That's what politicians do: shoot their fat mouths off.

It's of no more 'real' consequence than a member of Congress calling Snowden a traitor. Just big mouths.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Don't ever underestimate the long-term effects of a good night's sleep.[/center][/font][hr]

[La Lioness Priyanka]

58. well you also are then only assuming Human rights violations began in 1950 or something

otherwise all the european countries would be out because of their gross mistreatment of african and asians

america would be out because of its genocide of the native population

and so on and so forth

[Donald Ian Rankin]

60. No, I'm assuming that ones in the past don't matter.

If you boycott countries after they've stopped doing bad things, you make boycotting completely worthless, because you remove the incentive to improve and stop being boycotted.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

61. oh, that's a good point. however i still think america would be on the chopping block due to gitmo

iraq war and so and so forth.

(also when i said YOU, i mean ONE has to assume. sorry about that, tired and not writing too coherently)

[Donald Ian Rankin]

62. On the subject of incoherence, do you mean "on" rather than "off" the chopping block? :-)

Obviously, it depends where you set the bar, but I think there are a lot of countries I'd boycott in preference to the USA.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

68. yes, i meant on. i am sure most americans/westerners do not see their own sins as equally terrible

as the sins of others, but the reality is that torture + war, is no small human rights abuse

[Bluenorthwest]

91. The difference is this law is being used as a threat to participants and vistitors to the games

it is not some morality contest, it is about a very real threat of arrest and detention of not only LGBT people but anyone who dares in any way to support them. So it is not about whose 'sins' are greater or lesser it is about who is saying some are not free to participate in the games. It is not abstract, it is a practical matter.

[DonCoquixote]

145. However

When Russia gets on the microphone and says "GAYS WILL BE ARRESTED" after bidding to host the games, that says that said country is planning mischief and is daring the world to say anything.

[2ndAmForComputers]

70. No, you don't.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

78. A games excluding most non-Western nations would not be the Olympics. N.T.

[gollygee]

99. How about limiting it to places where the athletes and fans won't get arrested

simply for being who they are?

[Donald Ian Rankin]

146. Ditto.

That's not to say that that would necessarily be a bad thing, but it *is* to say that it would be the end of the Olympics as the Olympics - a sporting event for the whole world or most of it.

Russia's gay rights are in the news because they're moving in the wrong direction, but there are a lot of countries as far or further in that direction already.

[Behind the Aegis]

32. Prior to the stement made by the RUssian lawmaker, I was against a boycott.

However, given his comments and the recent spate of attacks by skinheads against LGBT people, I am for a boycott. The Olympics should not be about politics, but when the host country threatens to arrest athletes and spectators for being who they are, then that is some seriously fucked up shit! While I would love to see a repeat of the Mexican games response (see picture above), I fear a Munich-style response. I don't really want to involve myself in the Snowden shitstorm, but in all honesty, if the US boycotts the games, the claim will be it is over gay rights, as opposed to the real reason, Snowden.

[moondust]

33. To boycott or to overwhelm?

Last edited Thu Aug 1, 2013, 04:10 PM - Edit history (1)

With an INTERNATIONAL gay rights extravaganza in Sochi?

Edit: An open display of gay rights support in Russia could potentially involve some risk not just from police but also from Russian street thugs (inspired by Putin's macho bravado).

[LiberalFighter]

34. A boycott by the USA not so much.

If the athletes agree as a whole to boycott I would support that. But not forcing them.

If athletes or spectators attending the event want to use emblems showing their support that might work too. If they attempt to punish them it would be a shot heard round the world in a matter of minutes. And likely would put them more in a negative light.

[liberal N proud]

35. Why should the athletes pay for political issues?

We did this in 1980 and then the Russians did it right back in 1984. The only ones who suffered were the athletes who missed their only opportunity to participate in the Olympics. The window for so many athletes is so narrow, that they only get one shot, and it is wrong to make they pay the price.

[nadinbrzezinski]

38. A boycott over gay rights? Won't be over that

But Snowden.

And the people who pay are the athletes.

That said, I stopped caring over the Olympics a while ago...bread and circus and pure nationalism

[B2G]

39. There will be no boycot

The Olympics are a big business. Too much money at stake.

[backscatter712]

49. It'd have to be organized personal boycotts, not a state boycott.

Of course, the U.S. isn't going to boycott Sochi over gay rights - no money in that.

We've just got to get a few million people to openly declare a personal boycott of all things Olympian - that will send a message.

[backscatter712]

40. Boycott, and organize some huge events outside of Russia. n/t

[LuvNewcastle]

52. Here's a thought; maybe they could have winter games at

a place that actually has snow on the ground.

[LordGlenconner]

41. Opposed

I know sports aren't particularly popular here, especially American football, where all the players are apparently rapists, but politics and sports simply do not mix.

Many of these athletes, who have basically taken a vow of poverty to fulfill their dreams and represent their country, will be the biggest losers. Beyond that, it will not matter at all. Russia won't be changing their policies any more than they got out of Afghanistan after the 1980 boycott.

[cherokeeprogressive]

42. I'm not going. n/t

[Cali_Democrat]

46. WOW. You were going to go, but now you won't go because of Russia's crackdown on gays?

That is commendable. I applaud you.

[cherokeeprogressive]

47. As the father of a gay, soon to be transgender young adult...

I wouldn't piss on Russia if it was on fire.

Get that?

[HockeyMom]

54. You could be arrested also

It is not just gays they will arrest, but anyone who they consider to be PRO-GAY. You support your gay child? You are just as guilty in their eyes.

[truebrit71]

45. As someone else noted if these were anti-christian laws the olympics would have been moved already..

...the IOC has to do something here, and if they don't then I fully support a boycott by any athletes or corporate sponsors that choose to do so...

[bluedigger]

51. I'm against a boycott.

Somebody could find a cause to call for a boycott of every host country's Olympics, every time. Far better to allow those athletes who wish to demonstrate their disagreement with the Russian government's anti-gay stance the opportunity to do so on a global stage. I look forward to watching the Olympics, and hope the Russian government finds itself thoroughly embarrassed by acts of civil disobedience too numerous to count.

[ZombieHorde]

53. I don't know what would be best. This thread has some interesting ideas.

I'll most likely support whatever the civil rights activists decide on. I usually find myself siding with civil rights activists.

[DinahMoeHum]

55. I'm with John Carlos on this one. No boycott. Show up.

Frankly, I look forward to the moment an Olympic athlete on the podium whips out a rainbow flag or flashes a homemade sign to Putin or the IOC like: "Suck My C***, Asswipe" (preferably in Russian)

I'm also in favor of constant, frequent stink-eyes and disparaging remarks at IOC and Russian officials in public to embarrass the living shit out of them and make them wish they never consider having another Games on Russian soil again. Yeah, go ahead, arrest them or kick them out and risk an international incident/embarrassment.

Let's remember, the Olympic "ideals" died a long time ago. In fact, they never really existed, not even in ancient Greece.

Let's also remember, the IOC has never met a repressive regime they didn't like. Those fascist hold-overs from the past need to be taken down a few notches and told: you may own the name "Olympics", but you don't own our sports and you don't own us.

[mitchtv]

59. i agree show up

disrupt

[olddots]

143. you are making too much sense

thank you .

[southernyankeebelle]

63. Leave these young athletes alone. Boycott something else. These young people

work hard to prepare for the games and we have no right to impose our wishes on the athletes. It's not fair. Your only hurting the athletes. If you don't want to go on as individual that is your choice. Don't put that on the athletes backs.

[BlueCheese]

83. I think I agree with you. n/t

[roamer65]

85. I don't think the American flag should be there...

...but let the American athletes who want to go compete under the Olympic flag. That makes it fair for everyone.

[southernyankeebelle]

106. If my kid was there he/she would be marching under the american flag. Period.

[roamer65]

142. It's all up to the USOC and the President Obama.

[Bluenorthwest]

88. And what do you say to the gay athletes? 'You takes your chances, don't call for bail'?

Your assumption is that all of the athletes are straight and silent. No concern at all for what you are putting on the backs of the gay athletes, expecting that they will just take it.

[FreeState]

90. There are gay athletes?

/sarcasm. Hetronormativism at its finest.

[southernyankeebelle]

98. Life isn't fair. If I were gay I wouldn't want my fellow atheletes not go to the

games they trained for many years and it is selffish for anyone to ask them to give up their dream. Leave politics out of the games. Besides that since when going to the games is suppose to be all free sex for everyone wheter they be straight or gay. They are there to do a job. I got an idea when you go to the games don't buy anything from the locals.

[Bluenorthwest]

121. Let me review, you say 'Life isn't fair' when asked about the impact on gay athletes but in the

post I responded to you said this " Boycott something else. These young people work hard to prepare for the games and we have no right to impose our wishes on the athletes.
It's not fair."

So again you are concerned with the fairness but only to the straight athletes. Why not just say that?
I terms of your comments about 'free sex' I will have to assume you are ignorant of the laws you are taking so casually and many other things as well.

[Vanje]

134. This may amaze you,

But I'm a lesbian, even when I'm not getting it on.

[gollygee]

100. These young athletes could be arrested

just for being themselves. You know there are LGBT athletes in the Olympics, right?

[southernyankeebelle]

102. Sorry. If I had a young man or lady that was my child who worked very hard for years

and maybe this would be his last chance why should anyone say you he shouldn't be allowed to go because of some boycott? How dare anyone want my child to give up their dreams to satisfy your wishes. Everyone should go whether they are straight or gay and do what they are sent there for. Everyone leave their sex drive at home for a week. It won't hurt a bit.

[gollygee]

104. "Everyone leave their sex drive at home for a week" - ???

That's not what it's about. People can be arrested for simply stating they are gay. They don't have to have sex in the streets to get arrested. Simply being gay and people knowing it is enough.

[southernyankeebelle]

105. I know am not going to change anyones mind. You know sometimes life isn't fair. If the Russians

want to be assholes so be it. I would want my kid to go. Sorry if that offends anyone but you can't except people to put their lives on hold and give up their dreams. There has to be other ways. I have never liked boycotts of the games. Even when Jimmy Carter did it. It only hurts the players in their fields. You can hate on me all you want. By the way I ask my relative who is gay what he thought about it and he agrees with me.

[gollygee]

109. What if

People were being shot for being gay? Would that be enough?

What if people were arrested for having dark skin? Would that be enough?

[southernyankeebelle]

114. No it wouldn't be ok. But again find another way to boycott. They are already boycotting

vodka. That is a good start. Don't shop in their stores is another good one.

[hrmjustin]

118. Did you support the South African Boycott?

[hrmjustin]

115. "Everyone leave their sex drive at home for a week. It won't hurt a bit."

FYI my sexuality is more than my sex drive. I can not believe you said that. I can not believe a jury kept it 0-6.

[Bluenorthwest]

122. I can.

nt

[theHandpuppet]

131. Yeah, so can I.

The cluelessness around this place sometimes....

[Fearless]

125. Staggering ignorance. Why don't Black people leave their color at home at the same time?

Why don't women leave their sex/gender at home?

Because that's bullshit.

[Vanje]

136. What if your Olympian son or daughter

was gay, and faced brutality and arrest in Russia?

You'd still want her to go?
.

[Heidi]

144. That's very easy to say when _your_ human rights are secure. (nt)

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

126. Let someone over there try

An international incident on this issue may be what is needed.

[JCMach1]

64. But we didn't boycott Beijing? Meh?

[starroute]

65. Boycotts are a very blunt weapon, but there are alternatives

A unilateral boycott by the US would be particularly lame. Unless a concerted boycott by all the Western nations could be arranged, I think it would fall flat.

However, other possibilities come to mind. One would be putting pressure on NBC to incorporate the issue in its Olympics coverage -- for example, through background profiles of gay athletes that emphasize their orientation.

Another might involve focusing on the sponsors and corporate partners of the games. Here's a page of listings from the official website: http://www.sochi2014.com/en/team/partners/

Coca Cola, Dow Chemical, GE, McDonalds, Panasonic, Samsung, and Visa are all among the partners. The list of official suppliers mainly consists of Russian firms but also includes Microsoft. All of these are potential pressure points. And it might be useful to get on-the-record responses from them right now.

[DinahMoeHum]

67. +1

[2ndAmForComputers]

71. Aw, fuck. Until this moment, I liked Samsung phones.

Now, I think they're crap.

[FreeState]

76. Thanks for the Sponsor list - time to contact them! n/t

[backscatter712]

84. I think millions of people personally boycotting would be more realistic than a state boycott.

The U.S. won't do an official boycott. Not over GLBT rights. Nor will any other nation.

But millions of people can go out publicly, announce their intention to refuse to watch the Olympics on TV, and refuse to do business with their sponsors, and go to alternative events designed to show the world why they're boycotting. I think that would make a huge impact.

[gollygee]

101. If the US boycotted, that's all anyone would talk about during the whole games

In every country, during every competition that US athletes typically excel at, it would be a top discussion topic. It would be what these games would be remembered for in the future, and would have a huge impact.

[FreeState]

66. Im all for a boycott, genocide is not acceptable

Earlier in June, Mr. Putin signed yet another antigay bill, classifying “homosexual propaganda” as pornography. The law is broad and vague, so that any teacher who tells students that homosexuality is not evil, any parents who tell their child that homosexuality is normal, or anyone who makes pro-gay statements deemed accessible to someone underage is now subject to arrest and fines. Even a judge, lawyer or lawmaker cannot publicly argue for tolerance without the threat of punishment.

Finally, it is rumored that Mr. Putin is about to sign an edict that would remove children from their own families if the parents are either gay or lesbian or suspected of being gay or lesbian. The police would have the authority to remove children from adoptive homes as well as from their own biological parents.

http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007043

THE CRIME OF GENOCIDE

On December 9, 1948, in the shadow of the Holocaust and in no small part due to the tireless efforts of Lemkin himself, the United Nations approved the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. This convention establishes "genocide” as an international crime, which signatory nations “undertake to prevent and punish.” It defines genocide as:
[G]enocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:
(a) Killing members of the group;
(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
(c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
(d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

[LuvNewcastle]

73. This is genocide. Call it what it is.

This isn't some stupid No Kissing law or something, this is systematic persecution of a specific group, with widespread physical attacks and laws that ban the group's very existence. It really doesn't get more serious than this. A country that does things like this should be an international pariah.

[FreeState]

75. Agree 1000% n/t

[Scurrilous]

69. Show up and make a big stink about the stupid law at every available opportunity.

And have an openly gay athlete as our flag bearer at the opening ceremonies.

[jberryhill]

74. +++

[Bluenorthwest]

93. Are the two of you volunteering to do that? I'd very much respect the idea if it was something

you intended to do, to actually go there and face arrest by doing as you so boldly claim should be done. Let me know when you book your tickets.

[kestrel91316]

72. Definitely pro-boycott.

[warrior1]

77. fuck russia

[roamer65]

79. Do what the British did for Moscow 1980.

Their Olympic committee did not ban the athletes from participating, however they could not compete under the Union Jack. They allowed them to compete under the Olympic flag if they so chose.

I think this should be an individual choice for the athletes, since we cannot guarantee their safety and security.

There will be no boycott...IMHO. NBC Comcrap will fight it all the way.

[The Straight Story]

80. I say we damn well should do what Americans do - show the hell up

And dare them to arrest a single person.

Jesse Owens was probably not too welcome in the Olympics but he sure made a mark that we remember today.

Wave some rainbow flags around, flaunt it like there is not tomorrow, and tell them to pound sand.

[Zorra]

81. The whole world should boycott these Olympics. Shun that conservative hatehole, and their

vodka as well.

Because nothing changes conservative hearts and minds like money.

[BlueCheese]

82. I haven't thought about it a lot.

My first inclination is to not boycott.

Russia's policies are odious, to be sure, and gay rights are crucially important. But I'm not sure it's fair to ask the athletes alone to bear the sacrifice of protest. Many of them have trained for most of their lives for this moment.

If we want to express our disapproval as a nation for Russia's actions, there are more equitable ways of doing it. An economic boycott by our companies or consumers, diplomatic penalties by our government, etc.

By the way, can anyone shed light on why Russia is doing things like this? Has it always been a hotbed of homophobia, or did something else happen recently?

[WilliamPitt]

87. Read the article

There's an argument in there that says they're going off on all this anti-gay stuff to cover up the fact that preparations for these Olympics are, in effect, a $30 billion heist of public money by Putin's friends.

[starroute]

89. They're sucking up to the Orthodox Church

It's the same reason that they came down so hard on Pussy Riot. Classic totalitarian control mechanism.

[Bluenorthwest]

92. Correct.

NT

[mick063]

86. How can you punish the poor workers though?

Why take it out on them that a corrupt political agenda has imposed such a law?


I'm talking about Florida.

[adirondacker]

103. Pressure seems to work out better in the long run. Boycotts just seem to agitate and punish

innocent people that have nothing to do with the political climate that they happen to be living in. Personally, I think the Olympics would be an excellent opportunity to amass large demonstrations and displaying solidarity for the LGBT community. I highly doubt that the Russian gov't is going to drag demonstrators that are participating in the events off the stage in front of cameras that the whole world is watching. JMHO

[Bluenorthwest]

124. That would be a violation of their law and each of them subject to arrest.

Just so we all understand this.

[KamaAina]

108. Johnny Weir should so carry the U.S. flag in the opening ceremonies.

[Cha]

110. I say.. mahalo for

the link, Will. I know lots of people don't want to ban the Olympics for good reason but Russia's stance on Gay Rights is disgusting and dangerous.

Fierstein's call to boycott has some support inside Russia. Twenty-three Russian LGBT activists put out a statement this week, writing, "International support is essential for the survival of Russia's LGBT community right now ... Vladimir Putin's regime will not get away with antigay violence. We speak out in favor of boycotting Russian goods and companies and the Olympic Games in Sochi."

Whoa!

Whether or not there is a boycott, connecting Putin's systematic attacks on LGBT people to the Sochi Olympics is a stroke of political genius. This isn't only because it focuses international attention on an issue largely undiscussed in the mainstream press. Sochi could very well be the all-powerful Putin's Achilles' heel. These Winter Games, to be held for reasons that still make no sense in Sochi's subtropical climate, are going to be more expensive than any other Games — summer or winter — in history. Due primarily to shady no-bid construction contracts for Putin's business allies, $30 billion in public funds have simply disappeared. This isn't an Olympics. It's more like a heist. The almighty Putin is looking more with each passing day like this guy: attacking the LGBT community in a cheap effort to turn attention away from rampant corruption and growing inequality, symbolized sharply by what's happening in Sochi.

[Calista241]

112. Strongly oppose.

Many Athletes will have worked their entire lives for just one shot at the Olympics. Not allowing them to fulfill their dream and not attending the Olympics for a political reason is lunacy. Yes, there are some athletes that compete in successive Olympics, this is the exception rather than the rule.

While I strongly disagree with Russian policy, I can't endorse destroying the dreams of so many athletes over any policy issue.

Likewise, the previous withdrawals from the Olympics (by both the US and the USSR) due to the Cold War was equally insane.

[RudynJack]

113. I think

the athletes should boycott the ceremonies. Go, compete, come home. I wish NBC would only cover the events, and absolutely no local color stories.

[randome]

116. I can't say I've really kept up with past Olympic events.

Have any been held in Islamic countries? In countries that are not as 'stellar' (and yes, I realize the irony of that) as the U.S.?

If so, aren't all athletes somewhat required to abide by the laws of the host country?
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Don't ever underestimate the long-term effects of a good night's sleep.[/center][/font][hr]

[WinkyDink]

119. The athletes do not deserve to be the pawns.

[pinto]

123. I'd like to see the USOC support individual athlete's decision, publicly. And support ally teammates

who choose to voice support for their teammates who have stood aside in protest of Russia's regressive, inflammatory legislation in re: homosexuality in their country. Sorry Putin, you're on the world stage hosting the Olympics. And gay athletes can use that same stage to shine some light on your repression.

It's called reality, get used to it.

Otherwise, I'd support a boycott. Truth be told, though, I'd rather see the teams enter the stadium with some visible support of their gay teammates whether present or not.

[Vanje]

127. I support a boycott.

If any other group (racial minorities, Christians, Jews) was treated like Putin's Russia treats Gays, the boycott would've happened yesterday

[Fearless]

130. Every LGBT athelete should go

And tell their laws to fuck off. If Russia wants to create an international incident, let them. I'd gladly spend 14 days in a Russian jail to shine a light on their abhorrent bigotry.

Follow MLK's lead. Pack the fucking jails.

[starroute]

133. "LGBT Activists Start Dildo-Mailing Campaign To Irritate Vladimir Putin"

http://www.queerty.com/lgbt-activists-start-dildo-mailing-campaign-to-irritate-vladimir-putin-20130731/#ixzz2ajE3MFec

Not sure what to do with all those extra dildos now that they’re extinct? You can’t just throw away a rare artifact, so why not drop it in the mail and send it to your old pal Vladimir Putin?

A Facebook group aptly called “Send A Dildo To Vladimir Putin” is ten steps ahead of you, encouraging members to combat Russia’s anti-gay legislation and brutal treatment of the LGBT community by telling the Commander In Chief exactly where he can stick those laws—up his butt. Right before the dildo you’re sending, of course.

[Nye Bevan]

135. Anyone who doesn't think homosexuality should be illegal should stay the hell away.

Just as people have the right to cross picket lines, expressing contempt for the striking workers, the athletes have the right to go to Russia, expressing their contempt for gays. But I hope that they don't.

And unlike many in this thread, I believe that equal rights for gays is more important than people skiing down a mountain.

[totodeinhere]

138. Whether there is an official boycott or not, I know one thing.

I am going to boycott it. And I hope that a lot of other people do as well. We can send a message if NBC's ratings fall flat and they lose a lot of money on their Olympics coverage because people of good conscience didn't watch it.

[JoeyT]

139. Strongly support.

Not only a boycott of the Olympics, but a boycott of anyone that sponsors it.

[madrchsod]

141. ain`t going to happen

carter did and he paid the price. if obama tried to do this ,well it would not be pretty out there

[WilliamPitt]

148. HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!111!1!!1!1!

Look! LOOK!

A civil, excellent, thoughtful discussion in DU GD.

IT IS POSSIBLE.