It’s been bubbling for some time, but the controversy
over Russia’s draconian “gay propaganda” law has now boiled over.Last
week, Russia’s Sports Minister confirmed that the country intends to
enforce its laws against visiting LGBT athletes, trainers and fans,
meaning anyone even so much as waving a rainbow flag (and I presume many
men enthusiastically watching and dramatically commenting on figure
skating) would be arrested, held for weeks and then deported.Given this
position, the IOC must do the right thing, protect its athletes and the
fans, and move the 2014 Winter Olympics out of Russia.
The International Olympic Committee’s fundamental principles include an
unequivocal statement: “The practice of sport is a human right. Every
individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without
discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires
mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair
play.” In specific response to the Russian law, the IOC, in a recent
interview, doubled down: “[We] would like to reiterate our long
commitment to not discriminate against those taking part in the Olympic
Games. The IOC is an open organization and athletes of all orientations
will be welcome at the Games.” It appears Russia isn’t listening, and
indeed now has raised the stakes by threatening arrests.
There have been urgent calls for boycotts of the Olympics and of
Russian exports like vodka. These are understandable: It just doesn’t
seem right to see any of our dollars flowing to that nation. But a
boycott of the games would punish athletes who have trained for years to
participate, and a boycott of Russian vodka isn’t going to effect the
kind of change needed. Besides, with Russia’s confirmation that it will
enforce its law, our LGBT athletes are in real danger, and their safety
must be paramount.
Many believe that such a call to move the Olympics out of Russia goes
too far. Would this be their opinion if the law instead called for the
arrest of any Jews, Roman Catholics or Muslims should they display any
sign of their religion, such as a wearing a yamaka or praying while
facing Mecca? Discrimination in any form is a blight upon the Winter
Games, and it must not be tolerated.
NBC and the corporate sponsors of the Olympics should be paying close
attention, too, and should get behind the “Move the Olympics” movement
now, while there is still time to do so. If the Winter Olympics proceed
in Sochi, Russia, all of the goodwill they have spent millions to build
will evaporate in noisy protests, boycotts, and terrible publicity. I
personally will be beating this particular drum loudly, as will many
other LGBT actors, activists and allies. Trust me, if you are a
corporate brand, you do not want to be associated with the Sochi
Olympics.
Nations are not judged merely on their might, but also by how they
treat their most vulnerable. Russia’s cynical and deplorable actions
against the LGBT community have given license to hate groups within its
borders to act with violence and impunity against a group, based solely
on whom they were born to love. It now seeks to spread that hate abroad
through its tainted Olympics. If Russia hopes to stand with the
International Community, it must accept and adopt international
principles of equality and non-discrimination.
There is a petition gathering strength demanding the Olympics be
relocated to Vancouver, which played host in 2010. All of the facilities
are still in good condition, so this would likely be the easiest of
possible alternatives. If you agree, and I hope you do, please take a
few moments to sign the petition here.
With enough support, maybe the IOC and the sponsors will realize that
this is a disaster in the making, and the best course is to move
immediately and decisively to relocate the Winter Games of 2014.
–George Takei
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