RUSSIA’S president, Vladimir V. Putin, has declared war on homosexuals. So far, the world has mostly been silent.
A few days earlier, just six months before Russia hosts the 2014 Winter Games, Mr. Putin signed a law
allowing police officers to arrest tourists and foreign nationals they
suspect of being homosexual, lesbian or “pro-gay” and detain them for up
to 14 days. Contrary to what the International Olympic Committee says,
the law could mean that any Olympic athlete, trainer, reporter, family
member or fan who is gay — or suspected of being gay, or just accused of
being gay — can go to jail.
Earlier in June, Mr. Putin signed yet another antigay bill, classifying
“homosexual propaganda” as pornography. The law is broad and vague, so
that any teacher who tells students that homosexuality is not evil, any
parents who tell their child that homosexuality is normal, or anyone who
makes pro-gay statements deemed accessible to someone underage is now
subject to arrest and fines. Even a judge, lawyer or lawmaker cannot
publicly argue for tolerance without the threat of punishment.
Finally, it is rumored that Mr. Putin is about to sign an edict that
would remove children from their own families if the parents are either
gay or lesbian or suspected of being gay or lesbian. The police would
have the authority to remove children from adoptive homes as well as
from their own biological parents.
