Boycott Sochi 2014 because of LGBT offences

Judgeneo

Judgeneo

Judgeneo

Soldato
Joined
15 May 2010
Posts
10,111
Location
Out of Coventry
http://www.stephenfry.com/2013/08/07/an-open-letter-to-david-cameron-and-the-ioc/

This got passed to me this morning, Mr Fry makes a passionate argument.

Here are a few choice quotes:

Beatings, murders and humiliations are ignored by the police. Any defence or sane discussion of homosexuality is against the law. Any statement, for example, that Tchaikovsky was gay and that his art and life reflects this sexuality and are an inspiration to other gay artists would be punishable by imprisonment.
Click to expand...


An absolute ban on the Russian Winter Olympics of 2014 on Sochi is simply essential. Stage them elsewhere in Utah, Lillyhammer, anywhere you like. At all costs Putin cannot be seen to have the approval of the civilised world.
Click to expand...

Be brave enough to live up to the oaths and protocols of your movement, which I remind you of verbatim below.
Rule 4 Cooperate with the competent public or private organisations and authorities in the endeavour to place sport at the service of humanity and thereby to promote peace
Rule 6: Act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic Movement
Rule 15 Encourage and support initiatives blending sport with culture and education
I especially appeal to you, Prime Minister, a man for whom I have the utmost respect. As the leader of a party I have for almost all of my life opposed and instinctively disliked, you showed a determined, passionate and clearly honest commitment to LGBT rights and helped push gay marriage through both houses of our parliament in the teeth of vehement opposition from so many of your own side. For that I will always admire you, whatever other differences may lie between us. In the end I believe you know when a thing is wrong or right. Please act on that instinct now.
Click to expand...


Now I know nothing of the problems LGBT people face in Russia, is it as bad as is suggested? and is boycotting the right move to act against it?
 
They really are having a crackdown on it at the moment, not much can be done about it though, the Russian government have made their stance quite clear and the culture of the people over there will be difficult to change.
 
Problems with racism followed by consistent burying of heads under sand, strong homophobic feeling and laws passed to crack down on government opposition. Sounds lovely, definitely a place I would want to showcase the world to with the Winter Olympics and World Cup.

Billionaires/ex spooks running countries invites trouble ;)

However if they choose to go down this way - it is their decision. Forcing them to change isn't going to work.
 
Last edited:
On the radio yesterday there was a gay US figure skater who was asked if Sochi should be boycotted. He made some pretty convincing arguments as to why it shouldn't be. My view is that while Putin's crackdown on LGBT is disgusting, a boycott isn't really going to help. Better to go and celebrate the sporting spectacle and show them an alternative to bigotry.
 
Does it follow that gay athletes would be treated in similar fashion if they attend the Olympics in Russia? It seems probable.
 
Shouldn't be boycotted. It will be one of those epic trolls when gays and lesbians win gold medals and are applauded and celebrated while the Russians can't do anything about it.

A modern day Hitler and Jesse Owens.
 
Absolutely needs boycotting. I'm fed up of how the world just lets people/countries get away with stuff. All due to political BS. Time we had a collective world with a massive pair of balls.
 
Last edited:
You beat me to it. I've been doing everything I can to stop them, signing petitions etc. This whole thing is absolutely ridiculous. Fry's point about the Nazis is incredibly poignant
 
We did sod all about the Chinese Olympics, so this isn't going to change either :/

Putin's sucking up to the Orthodox church to bolster his support, he'll see any opposition from the West to this as confirming his stance.
 
Frightful Boar said:
Well, that's not for you to decide.

Democratic; perhaps. Right; matter of opinion.

For the record, I don't agree with it, but I think the world should be wary of telling an entire country the size of Russia that they're wrong in their democratic decisions.
Click to expand...

Why should it matter how big they are? If they're morally in the wrong they should be told so.

You should read the poem 'First they came'
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom