Russia - LGBT situation

aloyisious

The government of Ireland has updated its advice for LGBT Irish citizens travelling to Russia following the recent passing of several homophobic laws in the country.

Ireland’s Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade added the following section on its website on Thursday:

“Homosexuality was illegal in the USSR up until 1993 when it was decriminalised. However, a federal law has recently been approved that prohibits the promotion of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgenderism in the Russian Federation.

“Fines can now be imposed on those who provide information about the homosexual, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities to minors. According to the legislation, public displays of affection or activities regarded as counter to the law may also lead to fines, arrests and deportations.”

Ahhh, only copped the fact that both Ireland and USSR decriminalized homosexuality in the same year. T'is a pity the Russians have retreated from freedom to nationalistic religious zealotry.

Hamhide

Screw russia.Ireland may still be a little behind on lgbt rights but thank god I dont live there.

Shakti

miserable law of misery, check out the preamble to this story,

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20130705/182081064/British-Actress-Flies-LGBT-Rainbow-Flag-at-Kremlin.html

spineless press,church and state, we all know what hetero right wing fuvking sadists like them do to children.

aloyisious

Tilda with flag against scenic Russian backdrop (local cops).

Harvey Fierstein has a lash...... Harvey Fierstein Likens Russia’s Anti-Gay “Crackdown” To Nazi Germany

Full story here: http://www.queerty.com/harvey-fierstein-russia-antigay-nazi-germany-20130722/#ixzz2ZnRLyBlw

craic34

a nice country i wont visit so far... thats a real shame!

wonderfulname

Shakti wrote: »

spineless press,church and state, we all know what hetero right wing fuvking sadists like them do to children.

Less of this thanks

Let's try keep our cool in this discussion.

Shakti

Thanks but it's spot on and so I'll stand by it all the same,

wonderfulname

Dutch filmmakers jailed in Russia under this law; http://huff.to/1c01MHj

Locanfetzava

36 Photos From Russia That Everyone Needs To See. :mad:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/photos-from-russia-everyone-needs-to-see

periodictable

Guys some of you probably have seen this in GCN or online.
It's a story about Russian Neo Nazis entrapping gays by way of false personal ads and then torturing them. Included is a video of a young lad being tormented by fellow teens-the look on his face shows such despair.
I've added contact info for the embassy in Rathgar should anyone feel strongly enough to make a complaint.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8fWwXNXZq4

Address: 184-186 Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 14
Tel: +353 1 492 2048
Fax: +353 1 492 3525
E-mail: info@russianembassy.ie

Red About Town

I read some articles and saw some other photos online this week. Horrific stuff. Modern day fascism.

Ten of Swords

periodictable wrote: »

Also in this link is a video of a young lad being tormented by fellow teens-the look on his face shows such despair.

Poor guy, he looks very scared. He knows what's going to happen to him, he's familiar with their group.

His name is Dennis (they make him say it at 8.40).

He tells them that he's meeting a much older man and getting paid 20,000 roubles for sex.

periodictable

Ten of Swords wrote: »

Poor guy, he looks very scared. He knows what's going to happen to him, he's familiar with their group.

His name is Dennis (they make him say it at 8.40).

He tells them that he's meeting a much older man and getting paid 20,000 roubles for sex.

Thanks for the translation- I was hoping someone would let us know what was being said

lottpaul

This is extremely sad, frightening and depressing. Poor kid - to be picked on and humiliated/abused is disgraceful enough. For it then to be posted on the net is worse still - and the gang who did it obviously have no fear whatsoever of follow up from police or anyone else. Instead they seem to think they are the heroes. Wonder would they be so brave if they were on their own surrounded by a gang of thugs...

Poor kid.

door

Gilmore should close the Irish embassy in Russia.

curry_person

Its odd, they where represented in eurovision a few years ago by a lesbian couple!

Ambersky

Russia also produced the fabulous Pussy Riot a feminist punk rock band, of which two members are now in prison.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0726/464816-second-pussy-riot-court-parole-release-bid-fails/
A film about them and whats going on in Russia will be shown at Gaze LGBT film festival this weekend.
http://www.gaze.ie/festival-2013/films/pussy-riot-a-punk-prayer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QzblZ-Dg0U

Homosexuality was illegal during Soviet times but was illegal during Soviet times but was decriminalized in 1993.

Now Russia Passes Bill Banning Gay 'Propaganda' this is what is known politically as a backlash.

The bill banning "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations," makes it a crime to hold gay pride events, speak in defense of gay rights or to say gay relationships are equal to heterosexual ones. Although ostensibly intended to protect minors, the bill is written so broadly that in effect it amounts to an outright ban
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323495604578539220032220406.html

door

curry_person wrote: »

Its odd, they where represented in eurovision a few years ago by a lesbian couple!

Which couple was that again? ...and did they lose?

curry_person

t.a.t.u they did lose alright but did very well from what i remember! deffo in top 5 anyways
http://youtu.be/TypdkNG0Yvo

freshpopcorn

curry_person wrote: »

Its odd, they where represented in eurovision a few years ago by a lesbian couple!

No, their producer, Ivan picked them up from a Russian children's choir. He used them for his project about "under-aged lesbians" He knew this image would make music sell. They broke up with Ivan in 2004, because they wanted to focus on music not scandals. They are now married with children.

curry_person

i heard that too, but at the time didnt everyone think they where lesbian couple,

curry_person

It's horrendous what's happening over there. I can't help but wonder what Russia would be like now if Gorbachev had remained in power after the collapse of the Soviet Union; I sincerely doubt he'd allow these kinds of barbaric laws being passed.

I've always wanted to go to St. Petersburg, it looks like such a beautiful city. Only a few months ago I was chatting to a lesbian who was from there and she was encouraging me to travel there, saying that it was a cool city and (compared to other Russian cities) quite laid back. I imagine the whole climate is different there now though, and I don't think I could bear to travel there now.

I posted about that video in the thread in AH. The look of fear in that poor kid's eyes is still haunting me. I can't help wondering what's happened to him since; sadly I fear that his life is pretty much ruined. Not only is he in danger from vicious groups of skinheads, he's in danger from being beaten up by his peers and schoolmates as well as his own parents (he says on the video they'd beat him up if they knew he was bisexual). Considering the huge mental torture that must be on his mind right now, I can only imagine that he's also in danger of hurting himself.

curry_person wrote: »

t.a.t.u they did lose alright but did very well from what i remember! deffo in top 5 anyways
http://youtu.be/TypdkNG0Yvo

[Eurovision Nerd]
They came 3rd in 2003 with this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAK0tbe4XtA It was actually a pretty cool song (imo) but their vocal performance on the night was terrible; studio version was much better.
They're mostly remembered for this song, which was a huge hit back in the early 00's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mGBaXPlri8
And as mentioned before they were never a lesbian couple. One of them is bisexual, the other is straight.
[/Eurovision Nerd]

Plek Trum

Hi all,

I was emailed a link to this campaign today (I wont discuss Russia's stance on gay policy as it has its own thread further down here in the forum)

[URL="http:///www.change.org/petitions/stand-against-russia-s-brutal-crackdown-on-gay-rights-urge-winter-olympics-2014-sponsors-to-condemn-anti-gay-laws"]http:///www.change.org/petitions/stand-against-russia-s-brutal-crackdown-on-gay-rights-urge-winter-olympics-2014-sponsors-to-condemn-anti-gay-laws[/URL]


In short, the campaign is asking the major sponsors of the Winter Olympic Games 2014 in Russia to openly condemn Russia's 'anti-gay' laws. (Coca-Cola, Panasonic, Samsung, Procter & Gamble, and Visa)

Quick and easy to complete and will help to generate awareness of the issue.
Many thanks!

Plek Trum

http://www.change.org/petitions/stand-against-russia-s-brutal-crackdown-on-gay-rights-urge-winter-olympics-2014-sponsors-to-condemn-anti-gay-laws?utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition


Above link may work better.. apologies!!

McKrab

That such barbarism still exists today in a supposedly developed country is appalling. I'm just stunned.

Plek Trum

Agree with all the other comments posted. Russia is also the host country for the 2014 Winter Olympics (imagine!)

Please click on the link below and sign the petition, its to put pressure on the main sponsors of the winter Olympics to openly condemn Russia's stance on gay people. The more noise made about this the better...

http://www.change.org/petitions/stan...share_petition

freshpopcorn

Just saw this!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2382468/Russian-lawmaker-admits-gay-athletes-spectators-2014-Winter-Olympics-arrested-promoting-homosexuality.html

aloyisious

The Russian Govt is speaking with two mouths on this law, when it comes to the Winter Olympic games. Govt spokesperson say's "None of the participants will be arrested, if they are gay" while the Sports Minister say's that anyone making promaganda will be arrested. Re the Olympic Winter Games, the Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko said in a recent interview: “The law talks not about banning a non-traditional orientation but about other things, about propaganda and implicating minors”.

He added: “No one is banning a sportsman with a non-traditional sexual orientation from going to Sochi. But if he goes out onto the street and starts to make propaganda, then of course he will be brought to responsibility.” Mr Mutko also said that sportsmen should respect the laws of the country.

.......................................................................................

Soo.................. Don't ask where the local gay clubs are, or where the local non-traditional orientated citizens gather, don't talk, act or dress in a gay way, don't wear anything indicative of being gay (rainbows, pink triangles, ornamental circles with arrows etc, and if you're tatto'od in a provocative way, cover it up). Blonde hair will be OK :rolleyes:

Aurongroove

I feel it's the least I could do.
It would be nice if the monstrous treatment on human beings as witnessed in Russia in this day an age could be combated by international petition, boycott and global social pressure.
They do not deserve to host the Winter Olympics and many people are drawing parallels to this and the 1936 German games.

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/international-olympic-committee-ioc-relocate-the-2014-winter-games-to-vancouver-2#share

periodictable

Young Russian gay dies after torture-it's being reported. Can anyone translate what is being said? I have to say that the red marks on the guy's body look like paint????

http://www.spectrumhr.org/hot-news-1/recentneonazivictimdiesanti-naziactivistsindanger[/ur
if you feel strongly enough contact the Russian Embassy

address: 184-186 Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 14
Tel: +353 1 492 2048
Fax: +353 1 492 3525
E-mail: info@russianembassy.ie

CdeC

periodictable wrote: »

Young Russian gay dies after torture-it's being reported. Can anyone translate what is being said? I have to say that the red marks on the guy's body look like paint????

http://www.spectrumhr.org/hot-news-1/recentneonazivictimdiesanti-naziactivistsindanger[/ur
if you feel strongly enough contact the Russian Embassy

address: 184-186 Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 14
Tel: +353 1 492 2048
Fax: +353 1 492 3525
E-mail: info@russianembassy.ie

The red marks are paint, looks like they shot him with paint balls.

Gbear

Not LGBT but I spotted an open letter that Stephen Fry has written to David Cameron and the people running the British Olympic committee about the upcoming Winter Olympics:

http://www.stephenfry.com/2013/08/07/an-open-letter-to-david-cameron-and-the-ioc/single-page/

That some people in here might fancy a read off it.

Annasopra

I've merged 5 threads on Russia into one

Good letter from BelongTo/IGLYO/USI/NYCI here

http://www.belongto.org/attachments/250_Letter_Russian_Ambassador.pdf?utm_source=Newsletter+List&utm_campaign=1cd8f25bd5-Russia_Embassy_Letter8_7_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_096b9fe041-1cd8f25bd5-312213781

Event this Thursday in Outhouse (tomorrow)

https://www.facebook.com/events/520591194661251/

Also the Russian LGBT Network have made a statement on the Olympics

https://www.facebook.com/LGBT.Russia

WINTER OLYMPICS: WE SHOULD SPEAK UP, NOT WALK OUT

Dear friends and colleagues,

In light of the recently enacted Russian law on ‘propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors’ that renders illegal statements and actions that acknowledge LGBT equality and in response to the growing violence against LGBT people and allies in Russia, the upcoming Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Sochi have already become a subject of an international debate both over the impact of this context on the athletes, spectators, staff, and volunteers of the Games and over compliance of the Sochi Games with the Olympic values of diversity and non-discrimination.

The Russian LGBT Network applauds the actions of individuals and organizations who address the escalating official and societal homophobia in Russia, and we are with them in the commitment to the protection of the rights and freedoms of LGBT people and allies. Numerous initiatives in regards the 2014 Winter Olympics are successfully garnering support worldwide, with the centerpiece of the debate being the pro- / counter-boycott considerations. We would like to join the momentum and share our vision.

While we value diversity in approaches and welcome all efforts that forward justice and equality, we will contribute the work of the LGBT Network to the promotion of proactive participation in the Games instead of a boycott.

We believe that calls for the spectators to boycott Sochi, for the Olympians to retreat from competition, and for governments, companies, and national Olympic committees to withdraw from the event risk to transform the powerful potential of the Games in a less powerful gesture that would prevent the rest of the world from joining LGBT people, their families and allies in Russia in solidarity and taking a firm stance against the disgraceful human rights record in this country.

In retrospect, the record of the Olympic boycotts is not utterly promising in regards the potential to bring a change; look at the 1980 boycott of the Moscow Olympics, the 1984 ‘retaliation’ boycott of the LA Games, or at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. What is remembered from 1968 is neither the number nor the names of those who boycotted the Games, but the ‘human rights salute’ by Tommie Smith and John Carlos who rose black-gloved fists and bowed their heads on the victory stand as a sign of resistance to racial injustice and solidarity with everyone who fought for equality and human rights.

The Olympic Games are a unique and powerful occasion for individuals, organizations, diplomatic missions, and governments to come together and voice, in tune with the Olympic ideals, the ideas of human rights, freedoms, equality and justice – regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Participation and attendance of the Games in Sochi will not indicate endorsement of injustice and discrimination; they will only if they are silent. We hope to join forces and succeed in raising everyone’s voices for LGBT equality in Russia and elsewhere. We hope that together with those who share this vision, we will succeed in sending the strongest message possible by involving athletes, diplomats, sponsors, and spectators to show up and speak up, proclaiming equality in most compelling ways.

We call for organizations and individuals who are attending the Games to exercise freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and to not fall accomplices to the homophobic policies by censoring own beliefs, statements, and identities.

We will work for greater visibility of LGBT pride before, during, and after the Games in all domains possible, and we hope for the support of national organizations in making sure that the athletes publicly take a stance against violence toward LGBT people and stand strong for LGBT equality; that the national houses fill the gap of the banned Pride House and support LGBT athletes, staff, spectators and their allies on their grounds; that sponsors follow through with their policies and visualize their commitment to justice and observance of human rights in regards LGBT people at the Games; and that the broadcasters display all this in a positive and supportive way.

The Olympics in Sochi should embody the ideals and values of the Games and should demonstrate to everyone who is watching that the greatest athletes stand strong with their LGBT competitors and partners, out or closeted, and that together they stand strong with LGBT people and allies everywhere.

Do not boycott the Olympics – boycott homophobia! Stand in solidarity with people in Russia and bring LGBT pride and values of human rights and freedoms to the Games in Sochi!

periodictable

Stephen Fry has now called for Russia to be stripped of the Winter Olympic Games

http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0807/466918-stephen-fry-russia/

I guess this is where the pressure may begin to have an effect

Ten of Swords

periodictable wrote: »

Young Russian gay dies after torture-it's being reported. Can anyone translate what is being said?

It details how the gang tortured him, it's absolutely sickening if true but the article is a guy's blog not a news outlet so there's no way to know if what he says is accurate or embellished. For that reason I've deleted my earlier post where I translated some of it.

Lets just say that if this blog is accurate then this guy suffered an appalling and brutal death.

Aurongroove

Not ordering mods on how to do their jobs

But I suggest the petition should've been left as it's own thread (and perhaps added to by OP editing, and perhaps stickied)
as in is now (in the middle of a growing thread) can you really see it having the same exposure?
It isn't even visible from the main forum.

I don't like being judgmental, but it's not like the Russian situation is a 'one thread' kind of event anyways: It's the single most important event in LGBT culture today and may grow even bigger.
I feel stuff like petitions and any venture that requires as many hits as possible for best effect deserves at the very least a "Headline" in the main forum page and tossing it into a "Russians 'n' stuff" mega thread, is at best not ideal, and at worst, morally irresponsible to those currently being targeted.

Vologda69

As someone who has been to Russia several times, it saddens me to see Putin and his cronies drag his country back to the dark ages. I loved everything about the place, the whacky sense of humour, the architecture, music, history, I even went to the ballet (all 4 hours if it). What I didn't like was the hatred I saw towards minorities and non nationals. It seems to have become much worse under Putin and his horrid youth wing. I doubt I will go back anytime soon. I'm a great admirer of Stephen Fry, but there is no question that Russia will get their Winter Olympics. Russian oil and gas will see to that.

aloyisious

One way could be for the IOC and national committees sending sports-persons, umpires and personages to the games, is to allow them bring rainbow clothing or items to Russia for use outside or prior to the events they are involved in, and leave it to the Russians Law Enforcement Agencies to respond by either arresting, charging and deporting the "offenders" and seizing the items. The Govt's would be well advised to keep out of the games, except for answering "advisory questions" from participants and fans, until they were required to immediately assist their citizens in matters involving Russian legal affairs on the ground.


The IOC would be backing up the freedom of participation of LGBT sports-persons at the games, whilst not directly bringing politics into the games. It'd be interesting to see whether jingo-ism might make some anti-gays groups in major countries change their tune, in a "wrap the flag around me" manner.

Beruthiel

aloyisious wrote: »

One way could be for the IOC and national committees sending sports-persons, umpires and personages to the games, is to allow them bring rainbow clothing or items to Russia for use outside or prior to the events they are involved in

I believe that would be very effective, in the same way we all remember Jesse Owens taking 4 gold away from Hitlers "superior Aryan athletes".

Beruthiel

From Stephen Fry:

Ten of Swords

Another video of a teen being bullied by a gang, this one was posted yesterday afternoon, so it's brand new and likely happened in the last few days.

This video contains no violence but is still very frightening and humiliating for the boy (Andrew) who we are told is 17. At approx 9.00 they make him call his boss and tell her what they are doing, she gets quite angry and agrees with the gang that he should face punishment. They do appear to let him go unharmed at the end of the video.

Even after all of the outcry of the previous few weeks this is still sadly happening on a daily basis in broad daylight with plenty of witnesses as this video shows.

aloyisious

If you want action to be taken by the OCI to signal their opposition to the Russian Federation's anti-gay laws, send an Email to: admin@olympicsport.ie, outlining your points of view. Personally, and after speaking to a Russian gay man last night in Dublin, I repeat my point about an Irish group attending the games wearing the rainbow logo in solidarity with gay Russians. The Russian LGBT groups want the world to attend the games.

There are a large group of Irish firms etc sponsoring the OCI. If you want, contact those firms and pressure the OCI to use the rainbow Logo on it's team uniforms and sports wear at the games. The names of the sponsors, and of the various sports affiliated to the OCI, are included in the page opened by clicking on this address:
https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.olympics.ie%2F&ei=uqMEUq79AaSq7Qar4oHgCw&usg=AFQjCNEGXWBLjJmGaB6AVK9QdzvZ1xL6tw&bvm=bv.50500085,d.ZGU

periodictable

Contact the press officer of the Olympic Council of Ireland to register your concerns:

01-6375219

pragmatic1

An awful lot of race based hate crimes happening in that country too. It's turning into/is a fascist state.

aloyisious

It's official, Athletes have nothing to worry about.

https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=newssearch&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDYQqQIoADAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.com.au%2Fsport%2Fmore-sports%2Frussia-not-afraid-of-olympic-boycott%2Fstory-fndukor0-1226694569186&ei=ymcFUtGED6me7AbjnYCgDQ&usg=AFQjCNGb4QcFLrjKojxpjgd45hWYcJS_QA

Edit; yesterday's Irish Indo had a small article on the Russian economic downturn, growth was .07% less that expected, leading to possible political problems for Mr Putin, a bonus to the opposition.

Annasopra

There is now a facebook group based in Ireland

https://m.facebook.com/groups/283071891830811?_rdr

jaffacakesyum

mango salsa wrote: »

There is now a facebook group based in Ireland

https://m.facebook.com/groups/283071891830811?_rdr

Do you have the facebook link to the event page for the protest at the Russian embassy handy? Thanks, can't seem to find it!

Annasopra

jaffacakesyum wrote: »

Do you have the facebook link to the event page for the protest at the Russian embassy handy? Thanks, can't seem to find it!

https://www.facebook.com/events/365789256881919/

Annasopra

Fascinating analysis

http://paper-bird.net/2013/08/11/truths-behind-the-gay-torture-images-from-russia/

aloyisious

This from the "Action for Russia" facebook page. The gent, Maxim Marksinkovich, named as the ringleader in the item below, is mentioned several times in the post above and has done prison time in Russia for "Nazi-related" activities.

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/08/the-rise-of-homophobic-cyberbullying-in-russia.html

periodictable

aloyisious wrote: »

Maxim Marksinkovich, named as the ringleader in the item below, is mentioned several times in the post above and has done prison time in Russia for "Nazi-related" activities.

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/08/the-rise-of-homophobic-cyberbullying-in-russia.html

Talk about someone with issues-has he no idea of what the Nazis did to the Russian people?
I must admit that despite his behavior, I think he's most likely a closet case. So many of his photos look like they come from any one of several porn or dating sites.