The Olympic Charter celebrates equality – equal opportunity both on and off the ice and snow. The Olympics are about fair competition and respect for fellow athletes. They provide a unique opportunity to build bridges – celebrating that, wherever we come from, we are one. Laws like Russia's anti-LGBT law sully that spirit – they’re not fair, they’re not democratic, and they divide. They have no place in the Olympic Village, and they have no place in today’s world.
Russia’s Laws Penalize Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people including athletes and spectators.
Anti-Gay laws in Russia penalize “propaganda of homosexuality,” in other words any pro-LGBT messages for general audiences that could possibly include minors. These laws also apply to athletes and spectators attending the Olympics – foreigners are potentially subject to 15 days in prison and deportation for violating the new law. Public gatherings have been restricted; press freedoms have been curtailed; civic organizations have been classified as “foreign agents”; and arbitrary arrest is commonplace. Russian authorities have suggested even more restrictive anti-LGBT laws that could include tearing away Russian children from their gay or lesbian parents. The Russian government and President Putin are deliberately scapegoating LGBT people and their allies. Find out more about Russia's Anti-LGBT laws on our Fact's on LGBT Rights in Russia page.
What You Can Do to Support Russian LGBT People During and After the Sochi Olympics
Support the Russia Freedom Fund. Show your solidarity with the Russian LGBT people in crisis during this crack-down on their freedoms. 100% of your tax-deductibles will directly support support the LGBT movement in Russia to combat discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity.- Use the power of social social media to bring attention to these issues during the Games by joining existing social campaigns and spreading the word about them.
- Principle 6 Visit the Principle 6 website to download photos that you can use to change your profile photo starting on February 5 through the Opening Ceremonies (and beyond). The hope is that is during the Opening Ceremonies, as the games begin, the flood of Principle 6 photos online will draw attention to the cause. The hashtag #P6 can also be used to highlight Principle 6 of the Olympic Charter, which states that “Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.”
- HRC: Love Conquers Hate wear your Love Conquers Hate tee shirt and post pictures to Instagram with the hashtag #loveconquershate
- Visit the facebook page of the Russian LGBT Network for current information on the state of Russian LGBT rights and to join LGBT Russian activists in an on-line flash mob that will take place during the games. Change your profile picture to call on the Olympics to uphold its mission.
- Host an Pride House event. This event can take many forms including hosting a watch party during the Opening Ceremony and throughout the Olympics. Share pictures and messages of solidarity on social media. Follow the link to find scheduled events in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco http://uprisingoflove.org/pridehouse/
- Family Equality Council: Upload a photo of you or your family with this poster to use in your photo to be featured on the Family Equality Council website. Share the photo on social media with the hashtag #ToSochiWithLove
Media During the Olympics
Conflicting reports on whether athletes and spectators are allowed to voice concern about Russia's anti-LGBT laws in the media have made the issue confusing. The IOC has assured the public that answering media questions is permitted based on the Olympic Charter.
We urge the media to agressivaly ask questions about the laws and their impact before during and after the olympics. For ways to communicate a positive messages GLAAD has created a handbook on "Best Practices for Media Covering Russia and the Sochi Games". We also urge athletes, spectators and government officials to speak out when asked about the anti-propaganda law.
Please visit this page throughout the games and beyond for updates.
