Members of the gay rights group Uprising of Love not only fear for gay athletes and spectators attending the upcoming Sochi Olympics, but for the Russian LGBT community after the Winter Games end.
The group plans tosupport the Russian LGBT community and Russian LGBT activists in "every way possible," Uprising of Loveco-founder and film producer Bruce Cohen tellsAround the Rings.
He adds, "We are in coordination with all the different groups that are working on Sochi ... Members of the coalition will be participating in a variety of things that are going to be happening there."
Cohen tellsAround the Rings herecently visited St. Petersburg for the LGBT film festival, "Side by Side."
"This year, the festival was greeted with protests and a series of bomb threats," Cohen says.
Cohen asserts this "wave of homophobia and anti-LGBT violence" is directly related to Russia’s gay propaganda ban.
Russian president Vladimir Putinaddressed the ban at a recent media roundtable.
"I would like to draw your attention to the fact, that in Russia, as opposed to one-third of the world’s countries, there is no criminal liability for homosexuality," Putin said.
He added, "In our country, all people are absolutely equal regardless of their religion, sex, ethnicity, or sexual orientation."
Putin told reporters that there is "no danger" for individuals of non-traditional sexual orientation who are planning to come to the Sochi Games as guests or participants.
The IOC and Sochi 2014 organizing committee have already made accommodations for those hoping to voice their displeasure. Sochi 2014 announced in December that designated public protests zones will be set up in the city.
IOC president Thomas Bach welcomed the announcement, saying the zones will afford "people who want to demonstrate something" the opportunity to do so in established areas.
Cohenacknowledges that protests "in some sense" are routine at "most big international sporting events" today. However, hetellsATRthat protest zones at the Winter Olympics "should not be necessary."
Members of the Uprising of Love and their fellow Russian activists are mostly concerned with what will happen after the Sochi Olympics.
"There is a sad history of bad things happening in countries with human rights violations after the Olympic Games are over and the world goes home," Cohen says.
He hopes to prevent history from repeating itself by "letting the Russian government know that the world is watching" beyond the Sochi Games.
"A boycott hurts the wrong people," Cohen adds.
Cohen, whose work benefits the Russian Freedom Fund, says he is happy to hear that athletes of all sexual orientations and gender identities will have the chance to participate in the Winter Olympics.
"We are all hoping that it is a very safe Games for the athletes, and the spectators from all over the world."
Written byNicole Bennett
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