Tensions continue to run high leading up to
this year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. However, this time its focus is
not on security or terrorist issues but on homosexuality. Just this summer Russia
passed an Anti-Gay Bill in hopes of promoting “traditional Russian values”
while banning any information about homosexuality to minors. Even though this issue has been longstanding at least hosting the winter Olympics in Sochi has brought it to the surface for the rest of the world to see.
The mayor of Sochi, Anatoly Pakhomov recently
told the BBC that his town does not have any gay residents. During his
interview Pakhomov repeatedly stated that we do not have “them” in our city.
Claiming that a city of over 340,000 does not have a single gay resident is
proving hard to believe. This incident was not the first time Russia has received criticism over it's anti-homosexuality policies.
Earlier this month Russian president Vladmir Putin was quoted saying gay
people were welcome to attend the Games in Sochi as long as they “leave kids
alone.” Additionally Russian extremists have used social media to post photos with the rainbow flag crossed out along with "support Russia!" making matters worse. If that’s Russia’s way of greeting gay fans and athletes than they
might want to try a different strategy.
Even with Russia’s intolerant atmosphere some
people are creating new opportunities through online media to expand upon gay campaigns. For
example, the “It Gets Better” project based in the U.S. created an online
campaign specifically for Russian Youth. The video that is being shared online is called "To the LBGT youth of Russia. You are beautiful inside and out. With love, The It Gets Better Project." This new campaign supporting Russian youth has created opportunities for the gay community in Russia to express their feelings online in a safe environment. Additionally there are multiple video's displaying support for the Russian LBGT community from eleven different countries thus far. Another online campaign that strives to help the Russian LGBT community is called "Children-404." The name of the project comes from the widely known internet message "page not found." This is because within Russia message to society is gays are not found in nature.
Video found on You Are Beautiful
The winter olympics may have brought light to this situation but it is through these online campaigns that we can provide a safe outlet for members of the gay community in Russia. It's hard to imagine how intolerant some countries still are, thankfully we live in a world where we can use multimedia tools to give others a fighting chance.
For further information visit: Sochi Mayor: My City of 343,000 Has 0 Gays and It Gets Better
