Putin: autocrat of hate

"Homophobia - religion of bullies"

The steady increase in homophobia in Putin's Russia is well-documented, but now the hate is finally gaining international attention in the run-up to the 2014 Sotchi Winter Olympics.

Last month, Putin passed a bill banning all propaganda presenting "non-traditional sexual relations" in a positive light. This was initially just for minors, but now is being used to crackdown on all gay propaganda across the whole of Russia. This means that anyone saying something as simple as "homosexual relationships are as valid as heterosexual relationships" face fines of 4,000-5,000 rubles (£80-£100). Public officials are fined 10 times that, and organisations it is £155,000-£200,000. On the internet this increases to £1000-£2000 for individuals, £2000-£4000 for public officials and £200,000 or a 90-day suspension for organisations.

It gets worse.

For foreigners, not only do you get a fine (£80-100 in real life or £1000-£2000 on the internet) but you also get deported. Yes. Deported.


This is horrendous for a number of reasons.

Firstly it institutionalises the homophobia peddled by the Orthodox Church on a federal level (similar laws have been passed in states, but nothing at the federal level before). The church has stopped pride marches from happening for the past decade as well as local authorities, such as St Petersburg, which have banned pride marches under similar legislation.

Secondly, it is another layer in Putin's autocratic rule. State lines are pushed and dissent is punished ruthlessly. This is a regression not only in terms of LGBT rights, but more widely as a return to Stalinistic bureaucratic rule.

Thirdly, this only the 'moderate' part of what Putin and his allies want in Russia. MP Alexandre Mikhailov has called for gay and lesbian people to be flogged in public squares. Putin has also banned the adoption of children by gay and lesbian couples in countries which allow same-sex marriage, but claims there is no discrimination of LGBT people in Russia.


What is to be done?

A number of proposals of action have been brought to the table, most notably Stephen Fry's call for a boycott of the Winter Olympic Games in Sotchi, Russia next year. Others have suggested Olympians carrying rainbow flags at the opening ceremony (which would result in disqualification), an illegal Olympic Pride march in Sotchi and the IOC banning Russia from their own Olympics. David Cameron has made it clear that though he opposes the new laws, he doesn't agree with a boycott.

I personally don't know what should be done. I'm inclined to agree with Cyd Zeigler that banning Russia from the Winter Games would hit the Kremlin where it hurts, and I believe that it is plausible. I also think that taking the Olympics away from Sotchi would do this too. There are plenty of other venues which would welcome the Olympics with open arms.

Whatever is done, it needs to be drastic. Homophobic attacks are increasing, such the brutal murder of Vladislav Tornovo in May (Trigger warning for graphic description of violence and rape - link).

Whatever the consensus, we must act now before the situation becomes irreparable.