Russian Minister warns athletes to 'leave the kids alone'

py2006

Russian Minister warns athletes to 'leave the kids alone'

Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister has confirmed the Kremlin’s view on gay rights in Sochi, asking athletes to “leave the kids alone”.
Dmitry Kozak told a news conference today that Russian organisers will not discriminate against visitors or athletes because of their sexuality, but he backed the government’s support for the so-called gay propaganda law.
Mr Kozak said athletes are free to express their views and discuss their sexuality.
However, he asked them to stay away from children, saying: “leave the kids alone”.
Russia introduced a bill last year that outlawed the “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations”.
Groups representing gay people say the law has contributed to the intolerance of sexual minorities in Russia.

Link

What a guy! :rolleyes:

Nodin

...in case all they can think of is "stupid sexy flanders" during an emergency, presumably.

Merkin

Ah yeah, because if you're gay you're automatically a paedophile as well. Great bunch of lads :rolleyes:

kneemos

The state persecution of homosexuals is very disturbing.

Nodin

Merkin wrote: »

Ah yeah, because if you're gay you're automatically a paedophile as well. Great bunch of lads :rolleyes:

Yep. Much the same notion was carried by Thatchers Section 28 - 'its protecting the children', and the Brits were far ahead of Russia in the tolerance stakes, by the looks of it.

brimal

Putin was interviewed by the BBC few weeks ago and he kept mentioning gays and paedophiles in the same sentence.

He also said something on the lines of "but there are dozens of countries in the world that prosecute gays, we don't" - as if comparing your country's human rights to that of the Arab world is something to be proud of :rolleyes:

tfitzgerald

Let's hope they don't try and make an example of any of the athletes for some home propaganda

olly_mac

I watched a documetary on Channel 4 last night called "Hunted". Folks, check it out. I was physically sickened by it, and I believe it was heavily edited down for the violence.

One of the first laws that Lenin enacted in 1918 was the de-criminalising of homosexuality. One of the first that Stalin decreed after his rise to power was the reversal of this. Stalin was an ex seminarian... a failed priest. It appears that it is the Russian Orthodox church which is behind this persecution of gay and transgender people.

as a gay man I swear we don't go after kids

SEPT 23 1989

the gays will be the least of their problems by the time these games end

floggg

tfitzgerald wrote: »

Let's hope they don't try and make an example of any of the athletes for some home propaganda

They won't.

But let's hope the athletes make a stand - though despicably the head of the IOC had a speech this week criticising certain countries for protesting Russia's hosting of the games in light of this and other issues - but has refused to date to do anything to criticise such discriminatory laws or the other injustices occurring.

Spunge

This is funny yet in reality extremely saddening.

J_E

The problem is many people don't make any differentiation between homosexuality and paedophilia. Church is to blame for this as much as the State.

aidan24326

olly_mac wrote: »

I watched a documetary on Channel 4 last night called "Hunted". Folks, check it out. I was physically sickened by it, and I believe it was heavily edited down for the violence.

One of the first laws that Lenin enacted in 1918 was the de-criminalising of homosexuality. One of the first that Stalin decreed after his rise to power was the reversal of this. Stalin was an ex seminarian... a failed priest. It appears that it is the Russian Orthodox church which is behind this persecution of gay and transgender people.

Saw that doc. Heavy stuff alright, and was striking how many people they spoke with used the terms homosexual and paedophile in the same sentence, almost inter-changeably.

Whoever is driving this anti-gay sentiment, it seems widespread over there and not just confined to a small minority.

Stepping Stone

olly_mac wrote: »

I watched a documetary on Channel 4 last night called "Hunted". Folks, check it out. I was physically sickened by it, and I believe it was heavily edited down for the violence.

One of the first laws that Lenin enacted in 1918 was the de-criminalising of homosexuality. One of the first that Stalin decreed after his rise to power was the reversal of this. Stalin was an ex seminarian... a failed priest. It appears that it is the Russian Orthodox church which is behind this persecution of gay and transgender people.

I couldn't watch it, for the same reason that I can't watch world war two documentaries. I cannot handle that level of cruelty and evil. The association of gay and paedophile is similar (to my mind) to the propaganda that the Nazis threw out about the Jews. It is frightening that this is happening. I can't imagine the mindset that makes you want to hunt down and punish people for something as insignificant as sexuality, you may as well target people for eye colour or being left handed. :mad:

Jonny7

aidan24326 wrote: »

Whoever is driving this anti-gay sentiment, it seems widespread over there and not just confined to a small minority.

Yeah it's pretty endemic in Russian society, but as someone else recently pointed out Putin literally said "I don't mind gays, just leave the children alone"

Not exactly helping social attitudes when their leader equates gay people with child molesters

J_E

Jonny7 wrote: »

Yeah it's pretty endemic in Russian society, but as someone else recently pointed out Putin literally said "I don't mind gays, just leave the children alone"

Not exactly helping social attitudes when their leader equates gay people with child molesters

I think that it's sad that the vigilante groups are enabled and in a way, encouraged, along with the propaganda law being vague enough to get away with all sorts.

Whatever you think, nobody deserves that kind of cruel, devoid abuse.

bobwilliams

olly_mac wrote: »

I watched a documetary on Channel 4 last night called "Hunted". Folks, check it out. I was physically sickened by it, and I believe it was heavily edited down for the violence.

One of the first laws that Lenin enacted in 1918 was the de-criminalising of homosexuality. One of the first that Stalin decreed after his rise to power was the reversal of this. Stalin was an ex seminarian... a failed priest. It appears that it is the Russian Orthodox church which is behind this persecution of gay and transgender people.

I watched that last night and I was disgusted,the scary thing was that the footage was not undercover,can you imagine what they would have done to the guy if they weren't being filmed.
Scary how f**ked up some people's 'brains' are.

Son Of A Vidic

Merkin wrote: »

Ah yeah, because if you're gay you're automatically a paedophile as well. Great bunch of lads :rolleyes:

Apparently the Russian research paper that unveiled these findings, also confirmed that most Heterosexual men are also Lesbians.

Merkin

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

Apparently the Russian research paper that unveiled these findings, also confirmed that most Heterosexual men are also Lesbians.

Jaysus, I thought they were all transsexuals who like to rob grannies at knifepoint, my bad!

keeponhurling

Merkin wrote: »

Ah yeah, because if you're gay you're automatically a paedophile as well. Great bunch of lads :rolleyes:

I think this says more about yourself, and you are reaching a little there trying to bring paedophilia into it.

Not sure if you know, but there a new controversial law in Russia, whereby you cannot expose anybody under 18 to "gay propaganda", i.e. expressions of gay culture or lifestyle. <insert comment about how dated and oppressive the law is here>
Leaving the kids alone is referring this law.

Paedophilia is illegal in Russia, Ireland, and quite possibly every other country in the world.

Merkin

keeponhurling wrote: »

Paedophilia is illegal in Russia, Ireland, and quite possibly every other country in the world.

OMG you are kidding me! I never knew that!!!!!!!!

BBDBB

keeponhurling wrote: »

I think this says more about yourself, and you are reaching a little there trying to bring paedophilia into it.

Not sure if you know, but there a new controversial law in Russia, whereby you cannot expose anybody under 18 to "gay propaganda", i.e. expressions of gay culture or lifestyle. <insert comment about how dated and oppressive the law is here>
Leaving the kids alone is referring this law.

Paedophilia is illegal in Russia, Ireland, and quite possibly every other country in the world.

I think you may need to actually read the original article to discover that he was being sarcastic

also re paedophilia isnt as clear cut, there are ages of consent that vary from 12 to 18

Merkin

BBDBB wrote: »

I think you may need to actually read the original article to discover that he was being sarcastic

I'm a "she", but you're right - thanks

Jonny7

keeponhurling wrote: »

I think this says more about yourself, and you are reaching a little there trying to bring paedophilia into it.

"Look you can comment here that's fine, but just leave little children alone..."

"Please, we're just saying it nicely.. leave children alone, that's all"

"Hey you coming over on Sat? cool, but listen.. hmm.. leave the kids alone.."



Nope, it's extremely derogatory with paedo connontations anyway it's said.

BBDBB

Merkin wrote: »

I'm a "she", but you're right - thanks

oops:o my apologies

keeponhurling

Merkin wrote: »

I'm a "she", but you're right - thanks

OK, sorry I had no context. I had assumed you were referring to the OP. (it was post 3, in fairness)

I didn't you were just throwing in a random paedophile "joke".

Still don't really get it, but gays + paedos + sarcasm, has all the makings of a top joke!

PopePalpatine

keeponhurling wrote: »

I think this says more about yourself, and you are reaching a little there trying to bring paedophilia into it.

Not sure if you know, but there a new controversial law in Russia, whereby you cannot expose anybody under 18 to "gay propaganda", i.e. expressions of gay culture or lifestyle. <insert comment about how dated and oppressive the law is here>
Leaving the kids alone is referring this law.

It IS oppressive though! "Gay propaganda" is defined as any neutral or positive information about homosexuality - even saying that homosexuality occurs naturally is "propaganda" according to this law!

keeponhurling

PopePalpatine wrote: »

It IS oppressive though! "Gay propaganda" is defined as any neutral or positive information about homosexuality - even saying that homosexuality occurs naturally is "propaganda" according to this law!

Indeed, while I don't think kids should have too much exposure to "sex propaganda" as such anyways, it does seem a bit imbalanced if all they hear about is the hetro sides of things.

They should know that whatever feelings they are developing are perfectly natural, not think that they seem a bit out-of-line with the rest of society

floggg

keeponhurling wrote: »

Indeed, while I don't think kids should have too much exposure to "sex propaganda" as such anyways, it does seem a bit imbalanced if all they hear about is the hetro sides of things.

They should know that whatever feelings they are developing are perfectly natural, not think that they seem a bit out-of-line with the rest of society

Sex propaganda?

What exactly is that?

Sorry if your post was well intentioned but I don't think there should be even a suggestion that this law or regime has anything but discrimination and prejudice as it's aim.

This law is intended to be a politically correct way of saying "it's henceforth illegal for gay people to acknowledge their existence."

I've actually seen reports of a teenager being arrested for admitting to classmates she is bisexual.

There was never any propaganda to counter. This is an attempt to silence and discriminate against LGBT people.

Unfortunately it's only a first step - there is now talk of bringing in laws to take away children from LGBT parents. Simply because they are gay.

The beauty of it is (from a Russian law makers perspective) gay people aren't even allowed to protest against these laws. Not against the increasing violence the face.

Karl Stein

♫ Hey! Gay people, leave those kids alone..♫

keeponhurling

floggg wrote: »

Sex propaganda?

What exactly is that?

Sorry if your post was well intentioned but I don't think there should be even a suggestion that this law or regime has anything but discrimination and prejudice as it's aim.

.

I meant whatever is covered under the law as "gay propaganda", i.e. expressions of sexuality, but for both.
I don't think kids under 18 should be exposed to too much sexual expression (hetro or homo) regardless.

I agree it's a discriminatory law.
If it was a law against "gay and straight propaganda" for kids under 18, it would be somewhat more acceptable to me. Certainly very conservative.

The fact it specifies only "gay propaganda" is discriminatory

fryup

i urge everyone to watch the hunted documentary

No matter what your views on homosexuality, for anyone to go through what those gay people in russia go through is completely barbaric like something out of the middle-ages, very disturbing.

floggg

keeponhurling wrote: »

I meant whatever is covered under the law as "gay propaganda", i.e. expressions of sexuality, but for both.
I don't think kids under 18 should be exposed to too much sexual expression (hetro or homo) regardless.

I agree it's a discriminatory law.
If it was a law against "gay and straight propaganda" for kids under 18, it would be somewhat more acceptable to me. Certainly very conservative.

The fact it specifies only "gay propaganda" is discriminatory

The concept of sexual propaganda is absurd.

Showing too people dating on TV could be construed as sexual propaganda. Or a kiss.

Sex and relationships are a part of the human experience. You can't talk about life without talking about them.