Russian Government Confirms: No One Is Safe From Its Homophobia During Olympics

Today, Russia’s Interior Ministry, which controls the police force, confirmed that the controversial anti-gay propaganda law will be enforced at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, but insisted that no one will be targeted simply for being gay.

Under Russia’s anti-gay propaganda law, citizens and foreigners can be arrested for up to 15 days and face deportation for spreading the gay gospel among the youth.

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge had demanded clarification on the law, after originally claiming that athletes and spectators visiting the country would not be affected by the discriminatory legislation.

The IOC’s statement was almost immediately contradicted by both the law’s co-sponsor and Russia’s Sports Minister, hence causing Rogge’s confusion. Well, that’s all been cleared up now with an official statement from the Interior Ministry:

The law enforcement agencies can have no qualms with people who harbor a nontraditional sexual orientation and do not commit such acts [to promote homosexuality to minors], do not conduct any kind of provocation and take part in the Olympics peacefully. [...]

Any discussion on violating the rights of representatives of nontraditional sexual orientations, stopping them from taking part in the Olympic Games or discrimination of athletes and guests of the Olympics according to their sexual orientation is totally unfounded and contrived.

Speaking with Ria Novosti, Alexander Zhukov, head of Russia’s National Olympic Committee, added that ”People of nontraditional sexual orientations can take part in the competitions and all other events at the Games unhindered, without any fear for their safety whatsoever” as long as they don’t “put across” their views ”in the presence of children.”

Well, that settles it. Attendees and athletes of the Sochi Olympics can be as gay as they want to, just no where near the vicinity of a child. And of course they’re nowhere to be found. Ever.

Full story here: http://www.queerty.com/russian-government-confirms-no-one-is-safe-from-its-homophobia-during-olympics-20130812/#ixzz2boCOZ6PT