Russian President Vladimir Putin is wasting no time turning the Black Sea resort town of Sochi into a quasi-military state as he reacts to sharp criticism from the U.S. and Europe for the anti-gay propaganda law that he signed a couple months ago. The law, aimed at "protecting children," actually puts LGBT Russians and foreigners who visit the country at risk of arrest and is another backward step in a country that has long taken a dim view of freedom of expression. For years there have been reports of hostile anti-gay crowds and violence when LGBT Russians attempt to hold even the smallest Pride event.
But now that Sochi is about to be on the world stage for hosting the Winter Olympics in February, Putin has, predictably, ordered a clampdown. The Associated Press recently reported that Putin signed a decree banning demonstrations and rallies for two and a half months in Sochi �" before and after the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. According to AP's account of the story published in the official government newspaper, Rossiyskaya Gazeta , Putin's decree bans public assemblies. "All gatherings, rallies, demonstrations, marches, and pickets" that are not part of the Olympics or Paralympics will be prohibited from January 7 to March 21, the wire service reported. But shutting down free speech isn't enough for Putin. The decree also restricts vehicle access.
We recently wrote that one of the provisions of the Olympic Charter is to "act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic movement." Russian officials assured the International Olympic Committee that it would comply with its charter provision. But those assurances won't undo the law. Athletes and anyone traveling to Russia for the games will need to adhere to the country's anti-gay propaganda law, which forbids any positive reference to LGBTs. This is not limited to speech or demonstrations. Conceivably, wearing rainbow clothing would be a violation.
All of the debate over the new Russian law may very well mean that authorities will react by turning Sochi into a virtual police state during the games. Tensions will be high and athletes, especially those who are LGBT, likely will experience some stress, in addition to their preparations to compete at the highest levels.
Putin's decree does not serve its intended purposes of protecting children. It's a cynical political ploy to scapegoat LGBTs and collude with the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church, which in turn, whips up anti-gay hysteria among Russians �" at home and abroad.
This was on display last weekend when word got out to a Russian Orthodox church in the Castro (which is controlled by Moscow Patriarch Kirill) that gay rights activists were planning a peaceful demonstration outside the church after Sunday services. Church officials heard about it from postings on local blogs, including this paper's website, and vacated the premises long before the demonstration �" except for one man, who was photographed talking on a cellphone in Russian and who later photographed protesters. Later the church indicated on its website that it responded to the protest with prayer.
Public opinion polls show that Russian citizens overwhelmingly oppose gay rights. Putin plays into those unfounded fears with the anti-gay propaganda law and now with his efforts to close down Sochi. We must support Russian LGBTs by calling for their government to end discrimination and violence.
By coincidence the building that will house the media in Sochi has a rainbow exterior. USA Today broke that story last week, noting that while there may not be a Pride House in Sochi, reporters will definitely see rainbows while they're there. Unless Putin decides to replace the rainbow colors with something else. Given his latest decree and obsession with clamping down on all things gay, we wouldn't be surprised if the building is repainted before the games begin.