Queer Nation and GetEqual Massachusetts disrupted the opening event of the US Olympic Committee’s Road to Sochi tour stop in Boston, demanding answers about the safety of LGBT Olympians, American spectators and also LGBT Russians.
Activist Sasha Kaufmann, of GetEqual Massachusetts, engaged former
World Cup alpine skier Picabo Street, and got in a verbal altercation
during the panel discussion that showed very little sensitivity or
understanding by the former Olympian to the plight of LGBT Russians or
the safety of gay and lesbian Americans attending the events in Russia.
Said Street when asked about safety concerns for LGBT Americans in Russia:
“We are Americans, we don’t live in Russia…I would take you under my arm, we will experience the Olympic games together and have a wonderful time.”
When inquiring about what will happen to Kaufmann’s Russian gay
brothers and sisters after the games are complete, Street interrupted
the panel’s uncomfortable silence with:
“I don’t know. Hopefully nothing.”
The disruption of the kick-off events concluded with activists
unfurling a 40-foot rainbow banner reading “Boycott Homophobia” just
feet away from the main event’s stage in Boston Common, chanting “USOC
protect LGBTs” and “Don’t believe Putin’s lies” for roughly 15 minutes.
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