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New Russian Law Stirs Olympic Controversy Criticism Rising as Officials Back Antigay Law in Russia
(about 4 hours later)
MOSCOW – Russia’s minister of sports, Vitaly L. Mutko, said on Thursday that foreign athletes traveling to Russia for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi would be expected obey a new Russian law banning “homosexual propaganda” or face criminal prosecution. MOSCOW — Russia’s minister of sports, Vitaly L. Mutko, said on Thursday that foreign athletes traveling to Russia for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi would be expected to obey a new Russian law banning “homosexual propaganda” or face criminal prosecution.
In comments made to the state news agency R-Sport, Mutko said gay athletes were welcome to attend the Games, but insisted that under the new law no athlete or visitor could advocate a “nontraditional” sexual orientation. In comments made to the state news agency R-Sport, Mutko said that gay athletes were welcome to attend the Games, but insisted that under the new law no athlete or visitor could advocate a “nontraditional” sexual orientation.
The statement seemed sure to further ignite criticism of the law, which has already become a point of contention surrounding the Games, with some calls for a boycott. A series of legislation and statements by the church and political officials about the law have been denounced as homophobic. The statement seemed sure to stoke criticism of the law, which has already become a point of contention for the Games, with some calls for a boycott. Legislation and statements by the Russian Orthodox Church and political officials about the law have been denounced as homophobic.
“No one is forbidding a sportsman with a nontraditional sexual orientation to come to Sochi,” Mutko said. “But if he goes out on the street and starts to propagandize it, then of course he will be held accountable. Even if he’s a sportsman, when he comes to a country, he should respect its laws.”“No one is forbidding a sportsman with a nontraditional sexual orientation to come to Sochi,” Mutko said. “But if he goes out on the street and starts to propagandize it, then of course he will be held accountable. Even if he’s a sportsman, when he comes to a country, he should respect its laws.”
The law, which Russian President Vladimir V. Putin signed last month, imposes a fine of up to $155 for individuals who propagandize “nontraditional” sexual relationships among minors, but the law is so vague that it is widely interpreted here as a broader effort to restrict open advocacy of homosexuality. The law, which Russian President Vladimir V. Putin signed last month, imposes a fine of up to $155 for individuals who advocate “nontraditional” sexual relationships among minors. But the law is so vague that it is widely interpreted here as a broader effort to restrict open advocacy of homosexuality.
Those who violate the law may also be arrested and foreigners could face deportation. Those who violate the law may be arrested, and foreigners could face deportation.
The legislation has provoked anger and a spirited response from gay rights advocates outside of Russia. The legislation has provoked anger and a spirited response from gay rights advocates outside Russia.
On Wednesday, activists dumped several cases of vodka outside of the Russian consulate in New York, while calling for a boycott of the Olympics and sponsors of the Games. On Wednesday, protesters dumped several cases of vodka outside the Russian consulate in New York while calling for a boycott of the Olympics and sponsors of the Games.
In an attempt to head off the controversy last week, the International Olympic Committee said it had “received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games.”In an attempt to head off the controversy last week, the International Olympic Committee said it had “received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games.”
Mutko’s statements, however, seemed to undermine that claim, and might reflect conflicts among senior authorities over how to handle what has become a sensitive issue ahead of an event meant to highlight Russia’s global stature.Mutko’s statements, however, seemed to undermine that claim, and might reflect conflicts among senior authorities over how to handle what has become a sensitive issue ahead of an event meant to highlight Russia’s global stature.
The Kremlin has pursued an increasingly conservative agenda since Mr. Putin’s return to the presidency last year, aligning its politics with the Russian Orthodox Church to pass legislation banning adoptions of children to same-sex couples and criminalizing blasphemy. The Kremlin has pursued an increasingly conservative agenda since Putin’s return to the presidency last year, aligning its politics with the Russian Orthodox Church to pass legislation banning adoptions of children to same-sex couples and criminalizing blasphemy.
Last month, the leader of the Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill I, called the legalization of same-sex marriage a “very dangerous symptom of the apocalypse.” Last month, the leader of the church, Patriarch Kirill I, called the legalization of same-sex marriage a “very dangerous symptom of the apocalypse.”
Critics have said the laws promote an anti-gay bias among Russians, and have pointed to recent killings and brutal attacks against gays as evidence. Critics have said the laws promote an antigay bias among Russians, and have pointed to recent killings and brutal attacks against gays as evidence.
Mutko attempted to portray the situation at the Olympics as a question of law and order, comparing it to the ongoing world swimming championships in Barcelona.
“Take the swimmers in Barcelona for instance,” he said. “They can’t go out on the street and start breaking local laws. It’s the same here.”