Activists Remain Weary of Anti-Gay Policies in Sochi

Human rights activists are apparently not mollified by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement saying everyone will be "welcome" at Sochi 2014.

On Monday, Putin made the comments in Sochi speaking to IOC President Thomas Bach. Concerns had been raised about a controversial Russian law banning gay "propaganda."

Lydia Aroyo, a spokesperson for Amnesty International, told Around the Rings in a statement that the organization still has concerns for the Games.

"It is not clear, for instance, if an athlete or spectator could be prosecuted for wearing a rainbow pin or waving a rainbow flag or dressing in a way considered to be typical of [gay and lesbian] individuals," Aroyo explained.

Amnesty says the IOC’s satisfaction with assurances from Russian officials concerning non-discrimination at the Winter Olympics ignores more fundamental concerns about gay rights in Russia. "It disregards the fact that Russian law discriminates against LGBTI individuals and effectively prohibits them from openly expressing their sexual orientation," Aroyo said.

Amnesty says Russia’s gay propaganda ban clearly violates the country’s international legal obligations regarding freedom of expression and non- discrimination. Furthermore, the ban is "an affront to gay and lesbian athletes and spectators."

Protesters in the United States took their displeasure to the U.S. Olympic Committee’s 100 days to Sochi celebration. The Queer Nation group staged a protest in Times Square during event. Activists carried a 50-foot rainbow banner which read: "Don’t Believe Putin’s Lies."

Queer Nation member Andrew Miller was clearly unimpressed with Putin’s statement.

"Putin's reassurances are hollow, meaningless attempts to pacify his international critics," Miller told ATR in a statement. Queer Nation also met outside of a Moscow investor’s forum in New York City on Monday to discourage United States investment in Russia.

Miller added: "clearly, we've succeeded in shaming Putin. But if Putin wants gay men and lesbians to feel welcome in Russia, he must overturn his country's anti-gay laws.

"The real issue is the Russian LGBT community, not Olympic athletes and tourists."

Andre Banks, co-founder of gay rights group All Out told CNN International that Putin’s statement is ultimately an "empty gesture."

"It is doing nothing to help athletes who will be silenced under his gay gag laws in Sochi and it’s definitely doing nothing to help the millions of Russians who are losing their jobs and who are facing violence in the streets of Russia," he said.

At the end of the day, Amnesty International’s Aroyo said sports fans are among the losers from Putin’s decree.

"It is also a disappointment to sports fans across the world who care about the Olympic idea," she said.

Written byNicole Bennett.

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